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Globe artichokes are bought by colour, head size and form: green or purple-tinged heads for the fresh trade, and trimmed hearts, quarters or bottoms for the frozen trade. Egypt grows both green and local purple types and runs a large freezing operation. This guide breaks down the main Egyptian artichoke types and forms and how to match them to your buyers.
Quick answer: Egypt grows green globe artichokes and local purple-tinged (Balady) types. The fresh trade is whole heads graded by size; the frozen trade is IQF hearts, quarters and bottoms. Quality is judged on tight bracts, colour and clean trim. Fresh artichokes trade under HS 0709.91, frozen under HS 0710.80.
Table of Contents
Egyptian artichoke types and forms
| Type / form | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Green heads | Round-to-conical green globe heads | EU & Gulf fresh retail |
| Purple (Balady) heads | Purple-tinged local types | EU & regional fresh |
| Frozen hearts / quarters | Trimmed IQF hearts, halves, quarters | EU/US processing & retail |
| Frozen bottoms | Cleaned IQF bottoms (cups) | Foodservice & processing |
Fresh heads: green and purple
Fresh green globe heads are the mainstay of the fresh export, valued for tight, compact bracts and good colour. Local purple-tinged (Balady) types add variety and serve EU and regional demand. Both are graded by head size and harvested with a clean-cut stem, free from browning and opening.
Frozen hearts, quarters and bottoms
Egypt’s freezing industry is a major part of the artichoke trade. Heads are trimmed down to hearts (whole or quartered) and bottoms (the meaty base, or “cup”), then IQF-frozen for processing, foodservice and retail. These are graded by size and count with clean, uniform trim, and supply the year-round market.
Choosing the right type and form
For fresh retail, specify green (or purple) heads by size grade. For processing and foodservice, choose frozen hearts, quarters or bottoms by size and count. Then agree pack and certification (GLOBALG.A.P. for fresh; BRCGS/IFS for frozen). A good supplier will match type, form and grade to your program.
Frequently asked questions
What artichoke types does Egypt grow?
Green globe artichokes and local purple-tinged (Balady) types.
What is the difference between hearts and bottoms?
Hearts are the trimmed tender centre (whole or quartered); bottoms are the meaty base or cup with leaves removed.
Is frozen artichoke a big Egyptian export?
Yes – IQF hearts, quarters and bottoms are a major part of the trade and ship year-round.
How are fresh heads graded?
By head size/diameter, with tight bracts, good colour and a clean stem.
Under what HS codes are artichokes traded?
Fresh under HS 0709.91 and frozen under HS 0710.80.
How to cite this page
PEI Trade. “Egyptian Artichoke Varieties: Green, Purple & Hearts.” peitrade.com, 2026. https://peitrade.com/egyptian-artichoke-varieties/
Sources
- Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture; industry references — artichoke types and product forms.
- CBI / USDA FAS — EU demand for fresh heads and frozen hearts/bottoms.
This page is part of our Egyptian Artichoke Export Guide hub.
Source the right Egyptian artichoke with PEI Trade. Fresh green and purple heads and frozen IQF hearts, quarters and bottoms, graded to your size and pack, with GLOBALG.A.P. and (for frozen) food-safety certification. Contact: sales@peitrade.com · WhatsApp +20 109 911 1918 · www.peitrade.com