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The artichoke is an intriguing vegetable as it is actually the bud of a thistle—a flower. It has an armour-like exterior and a savoury-sweet heart; it is as beautiful as it is flavourful to eat. Besides its unique appearance, it also provides plenty of health benefits.
Health Benefits
Artichokes supply 28% of the recommended daily value of fiber, which help lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels. The vitamin C found in artichokes improves the body’s immunity by helping it absorb iron. 100g of artichokes contains:
- Vitamin C – 19% of DV
- Magnesium – 15% of DV
- Iron – 7% of DV
- Calcium – 4% of DV
Selecting tips
- Make sure their leaves are intact. Look for tightly-packed leaves as they indicate freshness
- If the leaves are pulling away from the artichoke, it will tend to be tough and dry
- To test its freshness, hold the artichoke next to your ear and squeeze its leaves with your fingers. If you hear a squeak, the artichoke is very fresh