Ocean Mist Farms, a Castroville, Calif.-based grower and shipper of fresh artichokes, reports strong artichoke supplies from its winter growing region in Coachella, Calif.
“The quality looks good and we expect ample supply of our seasonal Frost-Kissed artichokes over the next couple weeks,” said Ben Wilson, commodity account manager for Ocean Mist. “This is a great opportunity for retailers to take advantage of these volumes and promote artichokes, especially sought-after Frost-Kissed artichokes.”
Frosted artichokes develop their unique markings naturally when temperatures drop into the 30s or below, causing a slight blistering or darkening of the outer skin, the company says. Similar to a sunburn, this browning is purely cosmetic and peels away once cooked, revealing the familiar vibrant green artichoke.
The browning of the exterior petals in no way affects the eat-ability or quality of the artichoke, and enhances the nutty flavor, which many consumers prefer, making these winter gems a very desirable item that’s only available for a limited time, according to a news release.
Frost-Kissed artichokes include petal inserts designed to educate consumers about this natural phenomenon and emphasize their limited availability. Ocean Mist offers POS materials to retailers, including case cards, petal inserts and shelf wobblers, available directly through the Ocean Mist Farms’ website.
