Item Number: FP505
Organic Red Chesnok Garlic (lb)
One of the Best Garlic Variety for Roasting
Organic Red Chesnok Garlic is a standout hardneck variety known for its stunning purple-striped bulbs and complex, sweet-savory flavor. Each bulb contains 8–10 plump cloves wrapped in striking red-purple skins. When roasted, the flavor becomes remarkably sweet and caramelized, making it one of the best garlics for rich, mellow dishes. Raw, it retains a mild bite—perfect for dressings, spreads, and sautés.
This Eastern European heirloom variety thrives in cooler climates and benefits from a fall planting, maturing by mid to late summer. Red Chesnok Garlic is widely celebrated for its adaptability, vigorous growth, and exceptional flavor development when cooked. Its decorative skins and dependable bulb formation make it a favorite among both home gardeners and gourmet chefs.
With its bold flavor, beautiful coloring, and reliable performance, Red Chesnok Garlic is ideal for roasting, preserving, or enjoying raw. While its storage life is shorter than some softneck types—about six months—it delivers unbeatable taste and aroma. Expect flavorful yields and striking bulbs from this classic Purple Stripe garlic.
- Purple Stripe Hardneck Garlic.
- Highly regarded for roasting—rich, sweet, and mellow when cooked.
- 8–10 large cloves per bulb; 4–5 bulbs per pound.
- Vibrant red-purple skins over smooth, creamy cloves.
- Bold flavor with a mild raw bite and caramelized sweetness when roasted.
- Cold-hardy; best for fall planting in cooler regions.
- Grows well in fertile, well-drained soil; harvest in mid to late summer.
- Grown in the USA; not suitable for long-term storage (up to 6 months).
Flavor and Aroma Profile
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Flavor Profile: Red Chesnok offers a rich, sweet, and robust flavor that shines in both raw and cooked applications. As a Purple Stripe hardneck garlic, it mellows into a smooth, caramelized sweetness when roasted, without losing its distinct garlic character. It’s perfect for enhancing sauces, roasted vegetables, and garlic-forward spreads.
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Aroma Profile: This garlic delivers a warm, earthy aroma with subtle spice. Its fragrance intensifies during cooking, infusing recipes with hearty, savory depth. When raw, it offers a clean, fragrant scent—ideal for dips, dressings, and fresh culinary uses.
Planting Time
Red Chesnok Garlic is typically planted in the fall for a summer harvest, following the pattern of most hardneck garlic types. Fall planting allows the cloves to establish strong root systems before winter, leading to vigorous spring growth and large, flavorful bulbs.
Scaping
Like other hardneck varieties, Red Chesnok produces edible scapes—curly flower stalks that appear in late spring or early summer. Removing these scapes directs the plant’s energy into developing larger bulbs. Use harvested scapes in pesto, stir-fries, or grilled dishes for a mild garlic flavor and unique texture.
Read our blog about The Differences Between Hardneck vs Softneck Garlic to learn more.
Storage and Preservation
How to Store Fresh Garlic
After harvesting in mid to late summer, allow Red Chesnok Garlic to cure by hanging it in a dry, well-ventilated space until the leaves have fully dried and browned. Proper curing preserves the garlic’s flavor and nutrients and helps prevent mold or rot. This variety typically stores well for up to six months.
Preserving Garlic for Long-Term Use
To enjoy Red Chesnok beyond its natural shelf life, harvest the bulbs when most leaves have turned brown but a few are still green. After curing, store them in a cool, dark location with good airflow. The garlic’s sweet, robust profile holds up beautifully in both fresh and preserved forms—perfect for sauces, roasts, and seasoning blends.
Best Practices for Drying and Freezing
Cured garlic can be frozen in a variety of forms depending on your kitchen needs—whole bulbs, separated cloves, or minced. While freezing uncured garlic is possible, it's not recommended due to its higher moisture content, which can result in a mushy texture and diminished flavor. Always cure before freezing to ensure the best quality.
Why Order From Us?
We proudly offer premium hardneck garlic varieties like Red Chesnok Garlic, carefully cultivated by experienced growers to ensure excellent germination and robust growth. Sold by the pound, this variety thrives in fall plantings and produces striking, flavorful bulbs that perform especially well in cooler climates. Place your order today to explore our full selection of hardneck seed garlic varieties and softneck seed garlic varieties—perfect for growing a delicious and diverse garlic harvest.
** For more information, see our Garlic Resource Center and try out our Garlic Selector Tool to find the perfect garlic for your growing zone and tastes. Or check out all of our Garlic Learning Blogs where our staff have selected dozens of articles, videos, recipes and tips to help you learn how to successfully grow garlic bulbs.**
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Our Guarantee To You
Since 1976, we've served our customers at every stage of growing. Please contact us at any time. We are happy to support and assist you.
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
We cannot delay ship garlic/shallots. They will be shipped as soon as they are in stock.
Cannot ship to the following states: HI, ID, PR, GU, VI
Shipping Weight: 1.1 lb
Dimensions: 5.0"L x 3.0"W x 3.0"H
Features
Features
- Bulb
- Container Compatible
- Easy to Peel Cloves
- Hardneck
- Medium Flavor
- Suited to Cold Climates
Characteristics
Characteristics
Planting & Care
Planting & Care
Useful Information
Useful Information
Guarantee
Guarantee
Limited Seed Garlic Guarantee (When Planted by November 15th)
Claim Deadline is 45 Days from Purchase or Delivery. (Claims placed after December 31st will be denied.)
What We Guarantee
Our only guarantee is that the seed garlic we sell will germinate, provided you follow the steps listed in our Garlic Planting & Growing Guide. This guarantee is only available to customers who purchase their seed garlic directly from us.
What We Cannot Guarantee
We cannot guarantee that your garlic will remain alive & healthy, or sizes up properly, as there are too many variables beyond our control to be able to do so (i.e. soil preparation, fertilization, weed and pest control, temperature control, irrigation, etc).
How to Request a Credit
If you encounter a significant lack of germination of your garlic (over 50%), please contact us within 45 days of delivery. If we determine that your garlic had a significant lack of germination, we will issue you a credit (not a refund) for the purchase price of your garlic (excluding shipping).* This 45-day time frame is meant to allow you up to 2 weeks to plant your garlic, and up to 4 weeks to check for signs of growth.
(*) We reserve the right to not issue credit for items already replaced. We also reserve the right to require photographic evidence of the lack of germination of your garlic.
