We normally get these from the Mediterranean, where they blossom in abundance. This year, we've found a British grower - Clive Martin who farms in the Cambridgeshire fens. He converted his family farm to organic back in 2006 and this is his first organic harvest.
Country of Origin - UK/Italy
Class - Minimum Class 2
During the British season, we get our globe artichokes from Clive Martin's Cambridshire farm, Holm Select, on the fens. At other times of the year we look to Massimo Spataro, who grows this veg on his rather warmer Sicilian fields.
Henry VIII was a fan of globe artichokes and he grew them in his garden at New Hall in Essex back in 1530. We're not quite sure how King Henry would have eaten them but our favourite method is super simple: steam them over a pot of water fragranced with a few garlic cloves and bay leaves. This will take 45 minutes to 1 hour, but it's worth the wait. Make up a dish of melted garlic butter and dip each leaf in the butter, nibbling the tender base until you get to the gorgeous heart of the choke in the very centre.