Are you garlic literate?
Throughout the west coast, you can find all the different types of garlic at your local supermarket. Some are packaged differently, comes in various sizes, but most importantly (and often overlooked), are grown in different places–Spain, China, U.S. and Peru.
Today, we will be comparing the most common types of garlic through the key things that you might look for when buying garlic: pricing, key features, and availability.
Spanish Garlic
Spanish garlic is grown in the garlic capital of Spain–the city of Cuenta, which is made up of hundreds of villages and small farms.
Pricing (1-5, 5 being the most expensive): ★★★★
Key Features: Medium spicy flavor. It is commonly seen in creamy white color. Some might mistake it for California garlic due to its similar appearance.
Availability: August-March
Chinese Garlic
Chinese garlic is mainly grown in China’s Shandong province or the “World’s Garlic Capital.”
Pricing: ★★★
Key Features: Mild flavor. Light. Generally comes in a 5-piece packaging. Majority garlic consumed in the U.S. (and the rest of the world) are Chinese garlic.
Availability: All-year-round
California Garlic
California garlic is largely grown in Gilroy, which is the heart of garlic farming in California with over 100+ acre of garlic grown all year round.
Pricing: ★★★★★
Key Features: Medium spicy flavor. Soft neck and firm. Local & fresh. Gilroy.
Availability: All-year-round
Peruvian Garlic
Peruvian garlic is grown in the mountain range of Arequipa in Peru. Farms are generally made up of small family farms.
Pricing: ★★★★
Key Features: Strong, spicy, and juicy flavor. It is commonly seen with its purple streaks, firm texture, and hard neck (allowing it to be easily peeled).
Availability: September to May
Conclusion
Overall, every garlic has its distinctive features and highlights that remain attractive to its consumer base. While the Spanish & Peruvian garlic act as high-quality, cheaper alternatives to the pricey local California garlic, the Chinese garlic has the most favorable pricing.
Peruvian garlic, compared to Spanish garlic, gives a juicier flavor that leaves an unforgettable taste, hence, making it a unique variety that entices consumers.
Although it is considered a newer variety in the garlic market, Peruvian garlic stood out due to strong, spicy, and juicy flavor while having a high-quality but reasonably price tag.
Written by: Yumi Liang, Operations Manager at Big Crate Trading Inc.
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