Last year, I decided to add sunchokes (aka
Helianthus tuberosus, Jerusalem artichokes) to our farm because not only do they produce lovely flowers that add beauty and attract bees and hummingbirds which pollinate our garden, but they also produce an edible tuber. The tuber is tasty, low carb, and has health benefits. it helps cancer fighting bifidobacteria grow in the gut to how it helps boost the immune system.
Last year, I purchased 5 pounds for $37.96. This year 5 pounds are selling for $50.26 after tax.
We gifted two pounds to different families who wanted them for their special needs children's diets/disease management for the inulin and prebiotic activity. They had not been able to obtain them, so we shared some of ours. We planted the remaining three pounds in 55 gallon food safe plastic barrels that had been cut in half.
We left them in soil in the barrels until February 17th because they store better in the ground than inside*. We dug them up and learned we have 28 pounds even from our three pounds. That's a little more than nine times what we planted! God blessed us!
For the $38 investment, we were able to bless two families and grow a crop that is now worth $10/lb or $280. That's a very good return!
The prospects of Jerusalem artichoke in functional food ingredients and bioenergy production
*There are a few in the ground in different spots that we have not dug up yet, but I do not feel they have done well due to the enormous amount of rain we've had.
