The noble Worhipful Company of Fruiterers was founded in 1463 and received a royal charter in 1605. It was concered with the quality of fruit brought to London, and to training apprentices. If one (last) place still embodies something of that grand ambition it might be Artichoke in Hampstead, a bespoke family run fruiterer and greengrocer that would not be out of place in among the swankier department stores in the city centre, shelves stacked freshly as they go, seasonality to the fore, quality before price, a fruitarian and vegetarian emporium. five kinds of tomato, six kinds of potato, lettuces, lettuces, lettuces..No website which sort of seems fitting, but their Instagram speaks eloquently enough. They take their pick of a wide range of products from Western International Market each week so the range is bigger than most. A mango may seem expensive at £4+ bit it has come a mighty long way. If it is in season, it is here. A Hampstead essential – a smaller branch is now in England’s Lane, down the hill.
