Ocean Mist Farms says its first Frost Kissed artichokes crop of the season is currently being harvested out of its southern growing region in Coachella, Calif.
These specialty artichokes are shipping now and will be intermittently available throughout the winter, according to a news release. Special petal inserts have been developed to educate consumers about the unique condition of the artichokes.
“Frost Kissed artichokes are truly a specialty item and the very definition of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover,’” Bobby Bellew, director of farming for Ocean Mist Farms, said in the release. Created naturally after enduring a frost that occurs when the temperature drops to 32 degrees or lower, the artichokes’ skin darkens due to the freezing condition. “The brown outer layer is strictly cosmetic — similar to a sunburn — and peels off once cooked resulting in a green artichoke that consumers are familiar with.”
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“The browning of the exterior petals of the artichoke in no way affects the eatability or quality of the artichoke and in fact seals in the flavor which has a distinctive nuttier flavor that many consumers prefer,” Mark Munger, senior director of marketing for Ocean Mist Farms, said in the release. “These unique artichokes with their nutty flavor are only offered by Ocean Mist Farms and are only available on a limited basis after a frost occurs in our winter desert growing region.”
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“In the winter of 2022-2023 there were no frosts, so no Frost Kissed artichokes found their way into the marketplace, much to the disappointment of many artichoke aficionados,” Bellew added. “As much as frosts can be destructive to vegetation and farming, sometimes Mother Nature produces something truly amazing from what many consider to be an unfortunate weather condition.”
Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned business that says it is the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, has a webpage dedicated to Frost Kissed artichokes.
