Jerusalem Artichoke, Red Fuseau

The origin of this variety is unclear, with different sources claiming that it is a somatic mutant of Fuseau, a seedling of Fuseau, or a totally unrelated variety with a similar name.  I doubt the first because of the difference in flowering period between Fuseau and Red Fuseau, but I can’t offer any evidence for the other possibilities.  It is very similar to Fuseau, but red, so at least the name is suitably descriptive.

Culinary Traits

This variety tastes like a sunchoke.  I don’t find that most varieties differ much in flavor and this has the standard sunchoke flavor.  Tubers are red/purple, long, smooth, and often spindle shaped.  They range in size from less than an inch to about six inches in length.

Agronomic Traits

Red Fuseau is a medium sized variety, reaching about seven feet tall here and probably taller in warmer climates.  The stolons range about 10 to 16 inches long, so it will spread if you don’t harvest carefully. It flowers moderately but briefly.  It sets seed with a pollinator.