Knowing the different types of garlic is essential for every kitchen. It’s the secret to choosing the right flavor for your dishes, from a gentle roast to a punchy sauce. Let’s look at the main kinds you’ll find and how to use them.
Types Of Garlic – Essential For Every Kitchen
Garlic falls into two main botanical categories: hardneck and softneck. Think of it like apples having different varieties. The type you choose affects taste, how long it stores, and even how you cook with it.
Hardneck Garlic Varieties
Hardneck garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon) produces a hard, central stalk called a scape. It’s known for complex flavors and larger, easier-to-peel cloves. It typically grows best in colder climates.
- Rocambole: This is a favorite for many chefs. It has a rich, full flavor that is truly robust and peels easily. The downside? It doesn’t store as long as some other types, usually only about 5-6 months.
- Porcelain: Porcelain garlic has just a few large cloves per bulb, often only 4-6. It’s wrapped in a beautiful white parchment and packs a consistently strong, hot punch. It’s a great storage variety.
- Purple Stripe: As the name suggests, these bulbs have lovely purple streaks on their wrappers. The flavor is often a balanced medium-heat, making it very versatile. It’s considered the orginal hardneck type.
Softneck Garlic Varieties
Softneck garlic (Allium sativum var. sativum) is what you most commonly see in supermarkets. It has a pliable stalk, no scape, and offers excellent storage life, sometimes up to a year. It thrives in warmer conditions.
- Artichoke: This is the most common commercial variety. It has many cloves in layers, like an artichoke. The flavor can range from mild to quite strong, and it’s a reliable, long-lasting grower.
- Silverskin: The champion of storage, Silverskin garlic can last well over a year. It has a very tight, silvery skin and a strong, straightforward heat. It’s often used for braiding because of its flexible neck.
Other Notable Garlics to Know
Beyond the main two categories, a few other types deserve a mention in your kitchen repertoire.
Elephant Garlic
Despite it’s name, elephant garlic is actually a type of leek. It produces massive bulbs with huge cloves that have a very mild, almost nutty flavor. It’s perfect for when you want a hint of garlic without the intensity.
Black Garlic
Black garlic is not a grown variety, but a process. Regular garlic is fermented under low heat and humidity for several weeks. The result is sweet, tangy, and syrupy cloves with no raw garlic heat. It’s a fantastic gourmet ingredient.
How to Choose the Right Garlic for Cooking
Picking the right type makes your food taste better. Here’s a simple guide.
- For Roasting: Choose hardneck varieties like Porcelain or Rocambole. Their larger cloves become sweet, buttery, and creamy when roasted.
- For Raw Applications: (like pesto or aioli) Use a milder softneck like Artichoke, or be cautious with hardneck amounts. Purple Stripe can offer a nice balance here.
- For Long-Term Storage: Always go for softnecks. Silverskin and Artichoke types will last in your pantry for months on end.
- For a Strong Garlic Punch: Porcelain hardneck or a strong Silverskin softneck will deliver that powerful flavor you’re looking for.
Planting and Growing Your Own Garlic
Growing garlic is surprisingly easy and rewarding. You plant individual cloves. Here’s how to get started.
- Source Your Seed Garlic: Buy cloves from a garden center or reputable online seed supplier. Don’t use garlic from the grocery store, as it’s often treated to prevent sprouting.
- Planting Time: In most regions, plant garlic in the fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes. This gives it time to establish roots.
- Prepare the Soil: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Add some compost to enrich it.
- Plant the Cloves: Break the bulb apart and plant each clove pointy-end up, about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart.
- Mulch and Wait: Cover the bed with straw or leaves to protect it over winter. You’ll see green shoots in spring. Remember to cut off hardneck scapes in early summer to direct energy to the bulb.
- Harvest: Harvest when the lower leaves turn brown but several upper leaves are still green, usually mid-summer. Cure the bulbs in a dry, airy place for a few weeks before storing.
Storing Your Garlic Properly
To keep your garlic fresh and flavorful, proper storage is key. The wrong conditions can cause mold or sprouting.
- Ideal Conditions: Keep garlic in a cool, dark, dry, and well-ventilated place. A mesh bag or a pottery garlic keeper on your counter is perfect.
- Avoid: Never store garlic in the refrigerator, as the cold and moisture will induce sprouting. Also, avoid sealing it in plastic bags.
- Long-Term: For softnecks you wish to keep for many months, ensure they are fully cured and store them in a net in a garage or cellar where temperatures stay cool but above freezing.
FAQ About Garlic
What is the most common garlic type in stores?
That’s almost always a softneck variety, usually the Artichoke type, because it stores and ships so well.
Which garlic has the strongest flavor?
Porcelain hardneck garlic is often considered the strongest, followed by some Silverskin softnecks. The flavor can vary based on growing conditions too.
Can I plant garlic from the grocery store?
It’s not recommended. Store-bought garlic is often from climates different than yours and may be treated with growth inhibitors. For best results, buy “seed garlic” from a garden supplier.
How long does homegrown garlic last?
Hardneck garlic typically stores for 4-6 months. Softneck garlic, if cured properly, can last 9-12 months in ideal conditions.
What do I do with garlic scapes?
Scapes are the curly flower stalks from hardneck garlic. They are delicious! Chop them and use them in stir-fries, pestos, or as a garnish for a mild garlic flavor.
Is black garlic raw garlic?
No, black garlic is made by fermenting whole bulbs of regular garlic under controlled heat and humidity. The process completely changes it’s flavor and texture, making it sweet and soft.
Understanding the different types of garlic truly is essential for every kitchen. It allows you to make informed choices that improve your cooking and gardening. Whether you buy a braid of softneck for lasting supply or seek out a special hardneck for a recipe, you’re now equipped to use this amazing ingredient to it’s full potential. Start paying attention to the garlic you use, and you’ll notice the delicious difference.