Jerusalem Artichoke and the Bumble Bee

Jerusalem artichokes, Helianthus tuberosus, are surprise, surprise, other members of the Asteraceae or daisy family. Sometimes known as Topinambur or Sunchokes, their blooms are similar to, and act like, Sunflowers. Their heads turn during the day so that they always face the sun. Like the Fleabanes, they attract a multitude of insects to gorge on their pollen.

These are plants are in my neighbours garden. I learnt a lesson a long time ago. Although the tubers, commonly known as artichokes but no relation, are good to eat, a single root can multiply up to 200 times in fertile soil and there is no getting rid of them! If you are tempted to plant them they need to be contained! To have a good crop of edible tubers they need to be dug up and replanted in fertile soil every couple of years. Soup made from them is delicious and they can be cooked like potatoes. They have a sweet nutty flavour which is pleasant but, be warned that they contain a carbohydrate called inulin which humans can't break down. The consequence is the most disagreeable flatulence!

The Germans found that the inulin doesn't ferment. They roast the tubers, ferment and distil them, to create Jerusalem Artichoke Brandy, which is smooth, nutty and very good. The beauty is that it doesn't have the side effects.

I was so pleased to get the little Bumble Bee as it flew towards a flower head. I thought it made the image a little more special!