Artichoke hearts come from the artichoke, a type of thistle. They were first eaten around the Mediterranean, which area the wild variety is native too. Today, much of the cultivation of the plant remains around the Mediterranean.
The part of the artichoke that is eaten is the flower bud before it starts to bloom. The bud is comprised of a large head surrounded by triangular scales. Although typically green, they can also have a purple tinge.
The heart is not the entire bud, but is the base of it after all the scales are removed. The heart can be boiled, baked or pickled.
Artichoke hearts are quite a healthy plant to eat; they have one of the highest antioxidant capacities of any vegetable. They contain other important nutrients too.
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