Purple striped what? Hardneck garlic? It’s not that complicated. Let’s break it down.

Garlic. There are over 450 different types of garlic. The garlic family is broad and can be classified into two categories: hardneck garlic (Ophioscorodon) and softneck garlic (Sativum).

Hardneck Garlic. Hardneck garlic tends to have more flavor than their softnecked cousins you usually find at the supermarket. They’re characterized by hard woody central stalks and a long flower stalk (scape) that loops and curls, usually twice.

Hardneck garlic is also known as gourmet garlic and is generally richer and spicier, sweet with complex flavors when cooked and will be hotter than soft-necked garlic when eaten raw. There are five hardneck varieties: Porcelain, Purple Stripe, Marbled Purple Stripe, Glazed Purple Stripe, and Rocambole.

Purple stripe hardneck garlic. Hattie’s Garden is growing, nurturing and harvesting garlic from the purple-striped family. Purple striped garlic are robust and full-flavored. They are usually vividly striped with purplish vertical stripes decorating the bulb wrappers, hence their name. Purple stripe garlic keeps for about four to six months.

Purple-striped hardneck garlic varieties. Purple-striped hardneck garlic varieties are known for their depth of flavor and long storage. The two varieties we are offering are:

• Central Asian — A larger-cloved heirloom with delicate and mild garlic flavor that compliments other flavors without overwhelming them. Note that this garlic is mild and creamy when cooked, but hot when raw.
• Chesnok Red — A smaller-cloved, full flavored garlic with a mellow aftertaste. It has been called the best baking garlic and sweetest roasting garlic.

How to Store Garlic

It is generally best to keep the head whole if you want it to stay fresh for a few months. If you break it apart it will last a little more than a week. Garlic likes to be in the dark and as dry as possible with good air circulation.

A good idea is to store garlic in a loosely closed lunch sized paper bag with small holes punched in it for ventilation. (This is also a good way to store onions).

Note: Do not put garlic in the refrigerator, as this causes it to sprout and become bitter.

We hope you enjoy our garlic this year in your culinary adventures!

What’s Available This Week

The following is available at the Wednesday (8-11) Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) located by the Crooked Hammock Brewery on King’s Highway near Dartmouth Drive and Rt. 1., on Thursday and Friday at Hattie’s Garden from 2 to 5, and the HLFM on Saturday from 8 to 12.

• Purple-Striped Hardneck Garlic — Offering the sweet roasting Chesnok Red garlic, and the mild-mannered, beautiful Central Asian heirloom garlic.
• Scallions — Young and delicious.
• Young Arugula — Triple-washed and bagged.
• Loose Leaf lettuce — Triple-washed and bagged.
• Green Beans — Tender and delicious.
• Heirloom Tomatoes — Several types of Heirloom tomatoes and pints of mixed cherry tomatoes in all colors and sizes.
• Specialty Cut Flowers — Choose a freshly prepared beautiful bouquet or have a custom bouquet made on the spot. Each bouquet comes with flower food, and is guaranteed to last at least a week.
• Potatoes — Newly harvested. On Saturday at the HLFM only.

Yours in the Garden & at the Markets,