Frieda’s Celebrates Spring with Specialty Artichokes

Frieda’s Specialty Produce is celebrating spring and “The Year of Purple” with three specialty artichoke varieties -- Fiesole Baby Purple, Fiore Viola and Sangria.

The Fiesole Baby Purple Artichokes are about the size of a large egg and are almost entirely edible because they have no inner choke. The Fiore Viola variety has a deep purple color, round shape and meaty leaves with a sweeter artichoke flavor. The Sangria Artichoke has a deep burgundy color, pointed shape and meaty leaves with nutty and earthy flavors. All three varieties are grown in Lompoc, Calif., and are distributed by Frieda’s.

“We introduced these varieties to the market last spring, and they were extremely well received,” said Karen Caplan, president and CEO of Los Alamitos, Calif.-based Frieda’s. “These artichokes are uniquely flavorful as well as beautiful—definitely a big hit with consumers who want to try something new. We are thrilled to be completely sold out on the jumbo-sized Sangrias for the rest of the spring season and are taking pre-bookings for our fall crop which starts in October.”

The specialty artichoke varieties are projected to be available the entire month of April. More information is available online.

With the mission of changing the way America eats fruits and vegetables, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 specialty items to U.S. produce departments, including Kiwifruit, Spaghetti Squash, Habanero Peppers and Black Garlic, among others.