The frosty weather hit Castroville, California fields in early March and the Coachella, California fields right after. Then the rains came and it is still raining today. The vegetable growers and marketers that support them are in tune to the weather and make adjustments where possible, but sometimes Mother Nature gets the best of us.
What is a Frost Kissed® Artichoke?
Ocean Mist Farms artichokes are currently Frost Kissed®. Technically, what that means is the temperature dropped below 32°. The frost on an artichoke petal reacts like a sunburn on human skin. The frost will burn the outside layer of the artichoke causing it to turn dark brown, then flake and peel, we call that epidermal peel. This is strictly cosmetic. In fact, Frost Kissed® Artichokes have a more intense, nutty flavor and once cooked, the peeling disappears resulting in a delicious, green artichoke.
Cooking with Frost Kissed® Artichokes
Many of our fans vow that this is their favorite choke “variety” and understand that it is a limited time offer, so to speak. We encourage you to look for these chokes when available, and we even have a video showing how to cook with a Frost Kissed® choke. They truly are delicious and I am cooking up a batch this weekend.
Will I have Artichokes in My Store?
This spring, artichoke season is being delayed slightly because of the frost and rain. We expect to have good supplies in the next 2-3 weeks, but right now, supplies are limited because the weather has damaged the chokes. If you are on the west coast, you may be able to find the Frost Kissed® artichokes in your grocery stores. We are able to ship to locations closer to us with greater success. Understand that these chokes will need to be prepared very soon after purchase.
We appreciate your dedication and understanding and your faithful artichoke consumption.
Happy Spring everyone ...and remember to hug an artichoke grower today!