😅 An artichoke is the edible flower bud of a type of thistle plant known as *Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus*. Before the flower blooms, the tightly packed leaves—called bracts—form the familiar globe-shaped structure that we recognize as the artichoke. At the center of the bud lies the “heart,” which is prized for its tender texture and delicate, slightly nutty flavor. Surrounding the heart is the fuzzy “choke,” which is inedible and typically removed before eating. Artichokes have been culti