Garlic is a beloved staple in kitchens and gardens around the world. It adds robust flavor to countless dishes and offers a myriad of health benefits.
When it comes to growing your own garlic, you’ll need to consider two main types: softneck and hardneck. Both varieties have their unique characteristics and advantages, making the choice between them an exciting yet sometimes daunting task for gardeners.
As someone who has spent years nurturing garlic in my own garden, I’ve come to appreciate the distinct features that each type brings.
| Hardneck Garlic | Softneck Garlic | |
| Scientific name | Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon | Allium sativum var. sativum |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-7 | 8-12 |
| Flavor | Strong, complex | Mild to moderate |
| Head | Fewer but larger cloves, typically in a single layer | Multiple small cloves, often in multiple layers |
| Clove | Large in number | Small, numerous |
| Scape | Hard central stem | No scape |
| Stem | Hard, rigid | Soft, flexible |
| Wrappers | Few, easy to peel | Many, tightly wrapped |
| Storage | Shorter shelf life | Longer shelf life |
The Differences Between Softneck vs. Hardneck Garlic
Varieties
There are 11 different horticultural groups of garlic. Three of them are classified under softneck: Silverskin, Artichoke, and Middle Eastern. Here are common softneck garlic varieties:
- Artichoke: These bulbs have large, easy-to-peel cloves and a mild flavor, making them ideal for everyday cooking.
- Silverskin: Known for their robust flavor and long-term storage capabilities, these varieties are great for braiding.
- Inchelium Red: This variety offers a medium-hot taste and versatile use, making it popular in many dishes.
- California Early: These garlic bulbs provide consistent performance and adaptability, perfect for general use.
- California Late: Similar to California Early but maturing later, this variety is good for staggered harvests.
Whereas hardneck varieties are divided into eight groups: Porcelain, Rocambole, Purple Stripe, Glazed Purple Stripe, Marble Purple Stripe, Asiatic, Turban, and Creole. Here are common hardneck garlic varieties:
- Rocambole: Renowned for their rich, deep flavor, these garlic types are best for gourmet dishes.
- Purple Stripe: Varieties like Chesnok Red are excellent for roasting, with a strong, pleasing flavor..
- Porcelain: These satiny white bulbs are beautiful with giant cloves, about 4 per head, and offer a strong flavor.
- Music: Widely favored by chefs, this variety provides a balanced spice and sweetness.
- Spanish Roja: Known for its exceptional taste and easy-to-peel cloves, this garlic is great for both raw and cooked dishes.
Physical Characteristics
Softneck garlic is known for its flexible stems, which make it perfect for braiding and storing. This type typically has more cloves per bulb, often ranging from 12 to 20. The cloves are arranged in concentric circles around the central soft stem and can be harder to peel due to more layers of wrappers.
In contrast, hardneck garlic has a rigid, central stem, known as a scape, which produces a flower stalk. This type generally has fewer cloves per bulb, usually between 4 and 12, but these cloves are often larger and easier to peel.
The larger cloves are arranged in a single circle around the central woody stem. They may be white to cream-colored to purple-blushed and are easy to prepare in the kitchen.
Growth Conditions
Softneck garlic thrives in milder climates, typically USDA hardiness zones 8 to 12, so it is an excellent choice for those living in regions with warm winters and hot summers. It also benefits from a longer growing season, which means you can plant it in the fall and harvest it in late spring or early summer.
Hardneck garlic, on the other hand, prefers colder climates, typically thriving in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7. It requires a period of vernalization, where the bulbs need to experience a prolonged cold period to form properly.
This cold period, typically provided by winter temperatures, triggers the development of the bulbs and ensures a good harvest. Without this cold exposure, hardneck garlic may not form bulbs correctly, leading to smaller or misshapen heads.
If you live in a region with harsh winters, hardneck garlic can be a rewarding crop due to its robustness and unique flavors.
Culinary Uses and Flavor
Softneck garlic is known for its milder flavor, making it suitable for a wide variety of dishes. Its subtle taste allows it to blend seamlessly into recipes without overpowering other ingredients.
In contrast, hardneck garlic boasts a robust, complex flavor that is highly prized in gourmet cooking. Its strong, distinctive taste can elevate a dish, making it a favorite among chefs and food enthusiasts.
Hardneck garlic is also easier to peel thanks to its larger cloves and fewer layers of papery skin. This makes it particularly convenient for recipes that require a lot of garlic, such as roasted garlic dishes or garlic-infused sauces.
Storage and Shelf Life
Softneck garlic has plentiful skin wrappers that help preserve the cloves from rot. Therefore, it is better suited for long-term storage with its longer shelf life of up to 12 months. So, it is easy to understand why softneck garlic is most often distributed through commercial supermarkets.
From my experience, storing softneck garlic in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, like a pantry or cellar, works best. The ideal temperature for storing softneck garlic is between 60-65°F (15-18°C).
On the other hand, hardneck garlic has a shorter shelf life, lasting up to 6 months. This is why you don’t often see hardneck varieties in grocery stores.
Hardneck garlic requires cooler, more controlled storage conditions to maintain its quality. You should keep hardneck garlic in the refrigerator or another cool environment, ideally at temperatures between 32-50°F (0-10°C).
The Similarities Between Softneck vs. Hardneck Garlic
Common Botanical Family
Both types of garlic belong to the Allium sativum species, making them part of the larger Allium genus, which also includes onions, leeks, and shallots. This shared botanical heritage is evident in their growth patterns, bulb structure, and pungent aroma.
Nutritional Profile
Softneck and hardneck garlic are rich in essential vitamins like vitamin C, which provides about 15% of the daily recommended intake per 100 grams, and vitamin B6, offering around 17% of the daily value. These vitamins play crucial roles in supporting your immune system and maintaining overall health.
They also contain important minerals such as manganese and selenium. Manganese is particularly abundant in garlic with approximately 23% of the daily value, while selenium contributes about 6%.
Health Benefits
One of the most notable benefits is their ability to boost the immune system. Garlic is packed with antioxidants, particularly allicin, which has been shown to enhance the body’s ability to fight off infections.
I’ve often included garlic in my diet, especially during cold and flu season, and I’ve noticed a marked decrease in the frequency of my illnesses. Recent study highlights garlic’s effectiveness as a natural antibiotic.
Moreover, garlic is known to promote cardiovascular health. Regular consumption can help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve overall heart function.
Growth Requirements
Both varieties thrive best in well-drained, loamy soil, which ensures that their roots have the necessary conditions to absorb nutrients and grow robustly.
Also, you need to remember that regular watering is essential for both types of garlic, especially during the early stages of growth. However, it’s important to avoid overwatering, as garlic bulbs can rot in overly wet soil.
Next, make sure that your garlic requires full sun exposure. So, planting your garlic in a sunny spot will help ensure that the plants get the energy they need for optimal growth.
What to Choose Between Softneck vs. Hardneck Garlic
Climate and Growing Conditions
If you live in a warmer climate, softneck garlic is typically the better choice. This variety thrives in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 12, where the winters are mild and the growing season is longer.
On the other hand, if you’re in a region with colder winters, hardneck garlic is more suitable. Hardneck varieties perform best in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7.
Culinary Preferences
Softneck garlic offers a mild flavor that is incredibly versatile. Its gentle taste allows it to complement various recipes without overwhelming other ingredients. Personally, I love using softneck garlic in my daily cooking, whether it’s for sautés, soups, or stews, because it adds just the right amount of flavor.
On the other hand, if you seek a bold and complex flavor, hardneck garlic is the better option. It shines in gourmet recipes where its robust flavor can take center stage. I find it particularly delightful in roasted dishes or when making garlic-heavy sauces.
Storage Needs
If you require consistent supply for a long period, softneck garlic is the ideal choice.
However, if you’re looking for garlic with a stronger flavor for immediate use, hardneck garlic is the better option. Although it has a shorter shelf life of about six months, its robust taste is unmatched.
Gardening and Aesthetic Choices
If you’re drawn to the traditional and charming practice of braiding garlic, softneck varieties are perfect for you. Their flexible stems make braiding a delightful and satisfying task, creating beautiful, rustic bunches that can adorn your kitchen or pantry.
Whereas, hardneck garlic brings a unique appeal to your garden with its striking appearance and the production of scapes. These curly, whimsical flower stalks not only add an ornamental touch but also offer an additional harvest that I love to incorporate into my cooking.
FAQs
Can I use garlic scapes from hardneck garlic in cooking?
Yes, garlic scapes from hardneck garlic are edible and can be used in various dishes. They have a mild garlic flavor and can be sautéed, blended into pesto, or used as a garnish.
Is fresh garlic soft or hard?
Fresh garlic can be either softneck or hardneck. The texture of the cloves themselves is firm, but softneck garlic has a flexible stem, while hardneck garlic has a rigid stem.
What is the best garlic to grow?
The best garlic to grow depends on your climate and needs. Softneck garlic is great for warmer climates and long-term storage, while hardneck garlic is perfect for colder climates and gourmet flavor.
Which garlic do chefs prefer?
Many chefs prefer hardneck garlic due to its robust, complex flavor and ease of peeling, which enhances gourmet dishes.
What type of garlic do Italians use?
Italians traditionally use both types of garlic, but hardneck varieties like Rocambole and Purple Stripe are especially popular for their strong flavor.
What is the best tasting garlic in the world?
Taste is subjective, but many consider hardneck varieties like Music and Spanish Roja to be among the best tasting due to their rich and complex flavors.
