The early summer fog fills the air, and the scent of grass and earth fills the air, as if you have returned to the yard of your childhood farmhouse. I saw a light green ridge with a dazzling golden yellow scattered on it. It is one after another arrogant lotus flowers, like the divine flowers blooming on the top of the fairy mountain in Chinese paintings. 
This is the artichoke, an imported plant with the reputation of "vegetable emperor". When I leaned over to take a closer look, the deep purple in the center of the golden lotus turned out to be layers of buds. Under the buds, a white and tender receptacle is faintly visible, exuding a sweet and attractive aroma. The most commendable thing about artichokes is this snow-white receptacle. Gently peel it off with your hands, smooth and delicate like fine tofu. The tender texture blends with the mellow umami to brighten the taste buds. Some European and American aristocrats once commented that the artichoke receptacle is like God putting a grain of jelly in your mouth, which makes people can't help but linger. 
Because of this, the status of artichokes in Europe and the United States is very prominent. It was often found in court dinners and fine dining rooms, and was appreciated and admired by the elite of high society. The artichokes that shrouded the royal plate were the most noble and elegant plants in their eyes. In the 20th century, this "vegetable emperor" was introduced to China. At that time, due to the poor means of transportation, artichokes could only be imported into our country from North Korea, so they had the nickname "artichokes". At first, the Chinese knew very little about it, and the cultivation area was very small. However, with the increasing frequency of exchanges between China and Europe in recent years, artichokes have also received the attention of local leaders. 
Thanks to the government's efforts, artichoke production in Yunnan has ushered in spring – the climate here is perfect for artichokes to grow. Soon the planting area expanded to nearly 1,000 acres, and the yield and quality reached a high standard almost comparable to that of Europe. Looking at the dense patches of golden artichokes, the local growers were in high spirits. They are full of longing to plan, an acre of land can be sold for more than 3,000 catties, each catty is priced at twenty or thirty yuan, then a quarter down is tens of thousands or even tens of thousands of income, the family will be replaced with new tiles, buy new electrical appliances, children can also go to a better school. The sea of golden flowers paints a beautiful blueprint for them. For a time, a large number of artichokes were being planted in various parts of Yunnan, and the fields were in full swing. The backs of these farmers seem to indicate that artichokes will blow a "thistle wind" in China, sweeping tables and vegetable fields everywhere. 
However, the good times were short-lived. When these golden artichokes were really put on the table of the Chinese, they were met with an unprecedented cold reception. Chinese didn't know much about artichokes, but were attracted by its high ** and luxurious style on the table. Once they tried it for themselves, they were disappointed to find that the edible parts of the artichokes were very limited, and they were not as satisfying as they thought. This is a disappointment for many diners who are ready to feast. Chinese have always attached importance to "quantity", and a dish must be eaten quickly to be enjoyable. In contrast, artichokes are small and delicate, only the size of a palm, and the real meat is one or two pieces, which is simply not what most Chinese look like. 
What's even worse is that it doesn't pay attention to it. 30 pounds of artichokes staggered many buyers, which is no less than the highest grade seafood. After calculating the price-to-volume ratio of artichokes, people finally shook their heads and decided to choose more affordable local vegetables. Growers are no longer as optimistic as they once were. They found that the artichoke harvest and quality plummeted the following year, and that it was necessary to replant it every year to maintain the level, which remained costly. Coupled with the fact that the market is deserted and the inventory is difficult to digest, growing artichokes has become unprofitable overnight. As a result, under the double whammy, artichokes had to give up their bright prospects in China. Once expected to replace leeks as the new favorite of the Chinese table, it ended up being reduced to the standard of hotel restaurants - high or low, which is the most embarrassing portrayal of artichokes in the Chinese market. 
Despite its defeat among ordinary people, the artichoke is far from giving up its last hope of gaining a foothold in China – it has turned its attention to China's rising middle class. As an important part of the transformation of middle-class consumption, mid-to-high-end hotels and restaurants have flourished in recent years. Artichokes hope to find their place here. After all, the guests who dine in these places don't mind the relationship between ** and quantity as ordinary people, they pay more attention to the quality and deliciousness of the ingredients themselves. At present, the main buyers of artichokes are high-star restaurants, which provides it with the opportunity to regain a foothold in the Chinese market. As long as the artichoke can become the signature and symbol of these restaurants, so that the middle class who come here to eat can experience its deliciousness, then it hopes to open up its popularity in China like Europe and the United States, and thus enter the eyes of more people. 
This is the artichoke's last chance in China. If it can't even be bought into the middle class, then it will be completely overwhelmed in China. Looking at the development of artichokes in China, we can't help but ponder: the reason why it is difficult to bloom and bear fruit in China is actually related to the fact that the customs and customs of this land are not suitable. As a "nobleman" born into the royal family of Europe, the artichoke was accustomed to the worship and flattery of high society. It does not understand and cannot adapt to the simplicity and frugality of ordinary Chinese people. This is like a son-in-law who was born in a rich family, attending drinking parties and dances day and night, and suddenly one day being thrown into the countryside to live, it is bound to be unsustainable. 
Therefore, artichokes are actually not suitable for the mass market in China from the beginning. It can't be like leeks and mustard greens and integrate into the lives of ordinary people. But there is no need to blame the artichoke for this, because it has become a part of itself, just as the royal blood determines its arrogant temperament. In the final analysis, the artichoke retains an aristocratic physique, which is destined to survive only in the palace aristocracy, and cannot be reborn in the pots and pans of the public. In this case, it is better to let it quietly return to the palace silver platter of the Western world, and enjoy the service and praise of its masters.