Alcachofa de Benicarló

Alcachofa de Benicarló / Carxofa de Benicarló is a Protected Designation of Origin covering fresh artichoke flower heads of early white varieties grown in four coastal municipalities of Castellón, Spain. The specification requires dense, compact heads with resistance to browning after cutting, harvested manually and classified as Extra or Class I.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-ES-0202, Alcachofa de Benicarló / Carxofa de Benicarló covers fresh artichoke flower heads (Cynara Scolymus L.) of early white varieties, classified as Extra or Class I, produced within the municipalities of Benicarló, Cálig, Peñíscola and Vinaròs in the province of Castellón, Autonomous Community of Valencia. The varieties eligible for protection are early varieties that are white, so termed because they can begin blooming in autumn and continue into winter and spring. Propagation is carried out either by cuttings derived from mother plants selected by the farmers themselves, or by plants from authorised nurseries in the case of varieties propagated by seed. Sowing of seed varieties in the nursery takes place between April and June, with transplanting to the field between May and August; planting of cutting varieties is carried out manually during July and August. The harvest runs from approximately October to April and is performed manually with a knife; artichokes are cut retaining a stalk section of less than 10 cm and dispatched to processing centres as soon as possible. Labelling requires packaging strips clearly displaying the name of the protected designation of origin 'Alcachofa de Benicarló' and a numbered label affixed before dispatch in accordance with rules laid down by the Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Protegida 'Alcachofa de Benicarló'. The production area and the processing area are identical.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 19 February 2003 under file number PDO-ES-0202; eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013512.
• Only early white artichoke varieties are eligible; the specification permits no other colour or maturity type.
• Each unit must carry a numbered label affixed before dispatch under rules set by the Consejo Regulador.
• The production area is confined to four coastal municipalities — Benicarló, Cálig, Peñíscola and Vinaròs — all in the province of Castellón.

Tasting notes

Valencian artichoke DOP from Castellón (Benicarló-Vinaròs area), Blanca de Tudela variety. Distinctive small-medium round head with green-bronze tips, tender heart, sweet vegetal flavor with subtle bitter note.

HoReCa use

Valencian preparations — alcachofas a la plancha, in arroz con alcachofas, in regional ensaladas; pairs with Cava and Albariño.

Packaging

• crate-fresh-10kg
• retail-tray-500g
• jar-cooked-hearts-300g
• jar-cooked-hearts-500g
• frozen-bulk-1kg

Seasonality