#thursdaythrive   Artichokes!

• Until the 16th century, women were prohibited from eating them in many countries because they were still considered to have aphrodisiac properties.
• The top artichoke producers today are Spain, France, and Italy.
• . California produces 100% of the United States artichoke crop, with Castroville, California calling itself the “Artichoke Center of the World.”
• In 1947 Marilyn Monroe, then still going by her given name Norma Jean, was crowned Castroville’s first Artichoke Queen.
• One artichoke plant can produce more than 20 artichokes per year.