Did You Know...

Garlic (Allium sativum) has two sub species, softneck (sativum) and hardneck (ophioscorodon). Softnecks are good keepers and allow easy braiding. The hardneck refers to the "scape" that later produces a flower, or bulbils.

Hardnecks: Species Allium sativum; Subspecies ophioscorodon. Hardnecks are favored by chefs for having exceptional flavor, and large easy to peel cloves. They do well in cold climates, and have medium storage quality. They are characterized by a strong woody stem growing in the center. This stem produces a flower or “scape”. Mid to late harvests. Hardnecks produce medium to hot heat.

Rocambole: These are the most widely known of the hardneck garlics. They have a more full bodied flavor than the softnecks. Chefs prefer these garlics as they are large and easily peeled. Racamboles form tight loops of 1 to 3 coils after the stalks appear. The stalks later lose their coils and stand straight up as they turn woody. Most strains of Rocambole average 6 to 11 cloves in a single circle around the woody stem.

Purple Stripe: This garlic is named because of the bright purple streaks and blotches on the bulb wrappers. Purple Stripe are distinctive from Rocamboles because their leaves grow at wider angles to the stem. Purple Stripes store fairly well. Subvarieties of Purple Stripes can range from mild to hot and flavorful. Garlic that fall into this category - Chesnok Red.

Glazed Group: Subvariety of Purple Stripe: Garlic that fall into this category are - Purple Glazer and Red Rezan.
Marbled Group: Subvariety of Purple Stripe: Most strains of the Marbled Group have only 4 to 7 cloves per bulb. Storage is slightly longer than either Rocamboles or standard Purpule Stripes. Garlic that fall into this category are - Brown Tempest and Siberian.

Porcelain: Porcelain garlic is known for its high content of allicin. Allicin helps lower cholesterol, boost the immune system and increases circulation. This type of hardneck is becoming increasingly popular due to their incredible flavor. They have smooth, white, tight bulb wrappers with 4 to 6 cloves per bulb. Because of the tight bulb wrappers, they store longer than the Racamboles. Garlic that fall into this category are - Georgia Crystal, Georgia Fire, Premium Northern White, Music and Zemo.

Softnecks: Species Allium sativum; Subspecies sativum. Softneck garlic is characterized by a soft central stem, surrounded by several layers of cloves. They are non-bolting and produce very large bulbs. Softnecks are used for braiding and stored properly they can last up to ten months. They are easy to grow, abundant producers and adapt to varying soils and climates. Early to mid harvest. Softnecks produce mild to medium heat.

Silverskin: Silverskins are a high yielding variety and have a very long storage life. They do well in a wide range of climates.

Creole: Variety Silverskin: Creole have certain similarities with Purple Stripe garlic. Creoles do best in southern latitudes. Garlic that fall into this category are - Ajo Rojo and Keeper.

Artichoke: Species Allium sativum; Artichokes strains are very vigorous and large bulbed. they are names for their configuration of several overlapping layers of cloves, similar to the true Artichoke. Garlic that fall into this category are - Early Italian Red, Kettle River Giant, Oregon Blue, Red Toch, Translyvanian and Susanville.

Asiatic: Variety Artichoke: Bulbs mostly likely will be striped with lines that run from top to bottom. Garlic that fall into this category are - Japanese and Pyong Vang.
Turban: Variety Artichoke: Turbans are closely related to the Asiatics and mature earlier than any other garlic. Garlic that fall into this category are - Red Janice and Shantung.