Our Changing Menu - Ingredient Database

(Under Ongoing Development)

Artichoke

Italy, Mediterranean Region

Most artichokes are grown in the Mediterranean region, with Italy being the largest producing country in the world. [1] Heat waves are increasing in intensity and length in the region and artichokes are especially susceptible to heat stress, which causes the flowering head of the plant to shrivel along with the delectable edible part. Inadequate irrigation can also stress the crop. Misted irrigation methods that cooled the plant canopy increased the number of marketable heads by 60% and reduced the amount of irrigation water needed compared to conventional practices.[2]

References:

[1] “The Top 10 Producers Of Artichokes In The World,” WorldAtlas, September 4, 2018, https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-top-10-producers-of-artichokes-in-the-world.html.

[2] Paola A. Deligios et al., “Climate Change Adaptation and Water Saving by Innovative Irrigation Management Applied on Open Field Globe Artichoke,” Science of The Total Environment 649 (February 1, 2019): 461–72, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.349.

Our foods and food ingredients: They're all changing.

Yields of major staple crops like wheat and rice are being hurt by increasing temperatures. Wine grape production is moving to cooler climes causing changes in the character of some of our favorites. The flavors and health benefits of teas, the size of potatoes, the sting of a hot pepper, where fish call home in the oceans, and a future decline in protein in vegetables—it’s all changing.

Our food database shows the ingredients affected by a changing climate.

To learn what farmers, scientists, and many others are doing to keep the menu stocked, see Stewardship of the Land and Our Changing Menu: Climate Change and the Foods We Love and Need. You have a role, too!

Using our database:

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Construction in progress...

This food ingredient database is in its early phase and we will strive to expand it on an ongoing basis so that everyone is aware of how climate change is affecting the foods we love and need.