Artichoke Cynara scolymus L. was already cultivated by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. In Roma, it was an important delicatessen, very estimated, especially during holidays, due to its agreeable bitter flavor. In spite of that, its diffusion to the rest of Europe delayed up to the 15th century. Since several hundred years ago, Cynara scolymus L. has been used in traditional medicine both, in Europe and in other parts of the world, in order to treat gallbladder and liver diseases.

In England, where Cynara scolymus L. was considered an aristocratic vegetable, it is being cultivated since, at least, 16th century. It is said that king Henry the 8th, who had 6 wives and only 3 children, had a particular taste for Cynara scolymus L., possibly due to the fact that this plant species was then considered –erroneously—an aphrodisiac. Click to continue