Not all garlic varieties are the same. Different types of garlic vary in flavor strength, clove size, and storage life.

Hardneck Garlic

Hardneck garlic varieties grow best in colder climates and produce a stiff central stalk called a scape.

Characteristics:

·      Stronger, more complex flavor

·      Easier to peel cloves

·      Fewer but larger cloves

·      Often preferred by chefs

Popular hardneck varieties include Rocambole, Porcelain, and Purple Stripe garlic.

Softneck Garlic

Softneck garlic is the most common type found in grocery stores.

Characteristics:

·      Longer shelf life

·      More cloves per bulb

·      Milder flavor

·      Flexible stems used for garlic braids

Softneck garlic is widely used in commercial garlic production.

Elephant Garlic

Despite its name, elephant garlic is not a true garlic but is closely related to leeks.

Characteristics:

·      Very large cloves

·      Mild garlic flavor

·      Less pungent than regular garlic

Elephant garlic is especially popular for roasting because of its gentle taste.