Jerusalem Artichoke

Jerusalem Artichokes: This “weed” looks like a bumpy potato and is related to the sunflower (the energy goes to the root more than the seeds in this case). They produce terrific amount of flatulence for most consumers. (They are composed of an indigestible inulin; this side effect can be remedied by (a.) harvesting in the spring–the cold of winter helps convert the inulin into a more digestible form. (b.) cooking with ginger or other “digesting-aid” herbs (c.) cooking them well– i.e. if you have a delicate digestive track, do not eat them raw!). Despite its rustic nature, it turns out to be a very valuable crop.

Jerusalem Artichokes are not artichokes at all but rather a type of sunflower. They grow carbohydrate-rich roots and are therefore very interesting as a crop for bioenergy (ethanol, i.e. Fuel Alcohol) and as fodder.

The name is a misnomer that apparently happened because of the name "girasole" (ital. = sunflower). Synonyms include "sunchokes" (US) and topinambur.

Medicinal

Quoting from OSE blog (see link below): "They produce terrific amount of flatulence for most consumers.". This is because of the large amounts of inulin which is not digestible by humans. However, this may be a temporary effect on the intestinal microbiome. After some time of exposure to inulin, the microbiome adapts, as inulin-metabolizing bacteria proliferate (e.g. lactobacilli, firmicutes, etc.). This is also referred to as the "bifidogenic effect".

Uses

• Alcohol can be a gas! (tubers)
• fodder (tubers)
• Medicinal (tubers, see above)
• silage (green parts)
• ornamental (flowers)

Links

• OSE Blog March 2008: The Value of Jerusalem Artichokes
• OSE Blog May 2008: On Biofuels
• Wikipedia: Jerusalem Artichoke