---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Though plucking artichoke leaves doesn't…"
description: "\"“Though plucking artichoke leaves doesn't mend all cracked spirits as firmly as pea shelling, it has its own curative power. There is a Dutch saying: “..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/tamar-adler-56422_bitter-taste_though-plucking-artichoke-leaves-doesn-t_2702888.jpg"
---

#  Though plucking artichoke leaves doesn't mend all cracked…

![“Though plucking artichoke leaves doesn't mend all cracked spirits as firmly as pea shelling, it has its own curative power. There is a Dutch saying: “Bitter in the mouth cures the heart.” If you happen to have a friend shaken by heartache, hand over a bag of raw artichokes. Once she has relieved…” quote by Tamar Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/tamar-adler-56422_bitter-taste_though-plucking-artichoke-leaves-doesn-t_2702888.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/tamar-adler-56422_bitter-taste_though-plucking-artichoke-leaves-doesn-t_2702888.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/tamar-adler-56422_bitter-taste_though-plucking-artichoke-leaves-doesn-t_2702888.jpg)

> ““Though plucking artichoke leaves doesn't mend all cracked spirits as firmly as pea shelling, it has its own curative power. There is a Dutch saying: “Bitter in the mouth cures the heart.” If you happen to have a friend shaken by heartache, hand over a bag of raw artichokes. Once she has relieved them of their leaves, encourage one brave bite. Between the meditative peeling and the bitter taste, she should be completely healed. If there are no artichokes around, raw dandelion greens are a good substitute.””

[Tamar Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamar-adler/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Peeling artichokes or dandelion greens, with their bitter taste, can heal a grieving friend.

**In simple terms:** Bitter foods can symbolically soothe emotional pain.

Key Takeaway

Offer simple, symbolic comfort.

Themes

healing symbolism friendship

Mood

compassionate reflective

Type

advisory therapeutic

When to use this quote

- comforting a friend
- ritual healing
- food therapy

Key Concepts

nutrition emotional support

Questions to Reflect On

- Will the friend appreciate the gesture?
- Are there other symbolic foods?

A Different Perspective

Not everyone accepts symbolic gestures.

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[Artichokes Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artichokes-raw-2746503/) [Artichokes Relieved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artichokes-relieved-2746502/) [Bitter taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitter-taste/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Healed Artichokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healed-artichokes-2746499/) [Plucking Artichoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plucking-artichoke-2746500/) [Raw Artichokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raw-artichokes-2746501/)

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