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Item Number: FP513

Purple Italian Garlic (lb)

Purple Italian Garlic (lb)

One of our Most Popular Rocambole Hardneck

  • This classic Italian hardneck is one of our most popular.
  • Delicate and sweet spiciness with a mild, grassy flavor.
  • Slow to warm up, it creeps up on you with a burst of heat and then fades quickly.
  • Good for salsas & Mediterranean dishes with multiple ingredients to balance out the heat.
  • Large cloves are easy to peel, making it a favorite with cooks.
  • Not recommended for roasting.
  • Deep russet purple-skinned bulbs.
  • Approximately 8-12 cloves per bulb and 5-6 bulbs per pound
  • 2" and larger diameter bulbs.
  • Grown in Canada

For more information, see our Garlic Resource Center. Our staff have selected dozens of articles, videos, recipes and tips with everything you need to successfully grow garlic bulbs.

 

Origin and Overview

Purple Italian garlic, also known as Italian Purple or Creole Italian, is a distinctive variety of softneck garlic known for its striking appearance and robust flavor. Originating from the Mediterranean region, particularly Italy, this variety has gained popularity worldwide due to its adaptability, vibrant color, and culinary versatility. Purple Italian garlic is a member of the Artichoke garlic family, which is known for its reliable yields and moderate storage life.

Characteristics

Purple Italian garlic is easily recognizable by its large, purple-striped bulbs. The outer skin of the bulbs features a mix of white and purple hues, while the inner cloves are covered with papery skins that range from light purple to deep violet. Each bulb typically contains 8 to 12 cloves, which are of medium size and slightly elongated.

In terms of flavor, Purple Italian garlic offers a rich, robust taste that is less pungent than many other varieties. It has a mild to medium heat, making it suitable for both raw and cooked applications. The flavor is often described as slightly sweet with a hint of earthiness, providing a balanced garlic experience without overwhelming heat or bitterness. This makes it an ideal choice for those who prefer a milder garlic flavor.

Flavor and Aroma Profile of Purple Italian Garlic

Flavor Profile: Purple Italian garlic offers a rich and balanced garlic flavor with a mild to medium heat that gradually builds, providing a sweet and slightly earthy taste. Its large cloves, covered in striking purple stripes, are perfect for enhancing various dishes, from Mediterranean recipes to raw salsas. With its delicate yet robust flavor, this Italian garlic is a versatile choice for both culinary enthusiasts and gardeners looking to grow great garlic in their garden.

Aroma Profile: Purple Italian garlic delivers a subtle yet inviting aroma with a balanced blend of sweet and earthy notes. As you peel the large cloves covered in purple stripes, the scent of garlic enriches your kitchen, enhancing the flavor of Mediterranean dishes and raw preparations. This Italian garlic’s mild pungency and delicate fragrance make it a versatile choice for various dishes, adding a rich aromatic quality without overpowering other ingredients.

Pairing Recommendations

Food Pairings: Purple Italian garlic, with its mild yet robust flavor and striking purple stripe, pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Its delicate heat and slightly sweet taste complement Mediterranean dishes, fresh salads, and salsas, making it an excellent addition to your kitchen. For the best results, use garlic bulbs harvested in early spring or fall, and consider planting seeds or purchasing from trusted sources to ensure optimal growth and flavor.

Wine and Beverage Pairings: Purple Italian garlic, with its mild, sweet flavor and purple stripes, pairs wonderfully with a variety of wines and beverages. For a refreshing match, try a crisp white wine or a light rosé to complement its delicate taste, especially in dishes featuring raw or sautéed garlic. Additionally, a smooth, well-balanced red wine can enhance the garlic's robust flavor in Mediterranean-inspired dishes, making it an excellent choice for spring or fall gatherings.

Cultivation Requirements

Growing Purple Italian garlic is relatively easy, making it a favorite among gardeners. Here are the key cultivation requirements:

  • Climate: This variety thrives in a range of climates but prefers temperate regions. It can tolerate mild winters and is well-suited for Mediterranean climates. However, it can also adapt to cooler climates with proper care.
  • Soil: Purple Italian garlic prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure can enhance soil fertility and structure.
  • Planting: Cloves should be planted in the fall, about 4-6 weeks before the first frost. In milder climates, spring planting is also possible. Plant each clove pointed end up, 2 inches deep, and 4-6 inches apart in rows spaced about 12 inches apart.
  • Watering: Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods. Garlic needs consistent moisture to develop properly, but overwatering should be avoided to prevent bulb rot.
  • Care: Mulching helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the bulbs from temperature fluctuations. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer or fish emulsion during the growing season for optimal growth.
  • Harvesting: Purple Italian garlic is usually ready to harvest in mid-summer. When the majority of the leaves have turned brown, the bulbs are mature. Carefully lift the bulbs from the soil and allow them to cure in a dry, well-ventilated area for several weeks.

Culinary Uses

The mild yet flavorful profile of Purple Italian garlic makes it a versatile ingredient in a variety of culinary dishes. Here are some popular uses:

  • Raw: Its balanced flavor makes it perfect for raw applications such as salads, salsas, and dressings. It can be minced and added to dips, spreads, and marinades for a subtle garlic kick.
  • Roasted: Roasting enhances its natural sweetness and mellows the heat. Roasted Purple Italian garlic can be spread on bread, incorporated into roasted vegetables, or blended into soups for added depth.
  • Sauteed: Sautéing brings out its aromatic qualities, making it an excellent addition to pasta sauces, stir-fries, and sautéed greens. It complements other ingredients without overpowering them.
  • Pickled: Pickling preserves the garlic and adds a tangy, zesty flavor. Pickled cloves are great for antipasto platters, sandwiches, and as a condiment for various dishes.

Purple Italian garlic is a unique and flavorful variety known for its beautiful appearance, mild yet robust flavor, and adaptability to different growing conditions. Its ease of cultivation and wide range of culinary applications make it a valuable addition to any garden and kitchen.

 

Why Order From Us?

At our farm, you get the highest quality Purple Stripe garlic bulbs, carefully grown and harvested by dedicated farmers to ensure robust growth and excellent germination. Our garlic is sold by the pound and perfect for planting in both fall and early spring, giving you the best chance for successful cultivation. Don’t miss out—purchase now and benefit from our extensive stock of seed garlic and seeds to support your garden’s success.

Approved for Organic Agriculture by the Washington State Department of Agriculture
$26.95
/Lb Discount applied. Offer ends soon.
Next-day shipping available

Check Your Zone Compatibility:

Description

  • This classic Italian hardneck is one of our most popular.
  • Delicate and sweet spiciness with a mild, grassy flavor.
  • Slow to warm up, it creeps up on you with a burst of heat and then fades quickly.
  • Good for salsas & Mediterranean dishes with multiple ingredients to balance out the heat.
  • Large cloves are easy to peel, making it a favorite with cooks.
  • Not recommended for roasting.
  • Deep russet purple-skinned bulbs.
  • Approximately 8-12 cloves per bulb and 5-6 bulbs per pound
  • 2" and larger diameter bulbs.
  • Grown in Canada

For more information, see our Garlic Resource Center. Our staff have selected dozens of articles, videos, recipes and tips with everything you need to successfully grow garlic bulbs.

 

Origin and Overview

Purple Italian garlic, also known as Italian Purple or Creole Italian, is a distinctive variety of softneck garlic known for its striking appearance and robust flavor. Originating from the Mediterranean region, particularly Italy, this variety has gained popularity worldwide due to its adaptability, vibrant color, and culinary versatility. Purple Italian garlic is a member of the Artichoke garlic family, which is known for its reliable yields and moderate storage life.

Characteristics

Purple Italian garlic is easily recognizable by its large, purple-striped bulbs. The outer skin of the bulbs features a mix of white and purple hues, while the inner cloves are covered with papery skins that range from light purple to deep violet. Each bulb typically contains 8 to 12 cloves, which are of medium size and slightly elongated.

In terms of flavor, Purple Italian garlic offers a rich, robust taste that is less pungent than many other varieties. It has a mild to medium heat, making it suitable for both raw and cooked applications. The flavor is often described as slightly sweet with a hint of earthiness, providing a balanced garlic experience without overwhelming heat or bitterness. This makes it an ideal choice for those who prefer a milder garlic flavor.

Flavor and Aroma Profile of Purple Italian Garlic

Flavor Profile: Purple Italian garlic offers a rich and balanced garlic flavor with a mild to medium heat that gradually builds, providing a sweet and slightly earthy taste. Its large cloves, covered in striking purple stripes, are perfect for enhancing various dishes, from Mediterranean recipes to raw salsas. With its delicate yet robust flavor, this Italian garlic is a versatile choice for both culinary enthusiasts and gardeners looking to grow great garlic in their garden.

Aroma Profile: Purple Italian garlic delivers a subtle yet inviting aroma with a balanced blend of sweet and earthy notes. As you peel the large cloves covered in purple stripes, the scent of garlic enriches your kitchen, enhancing the flavor of Mediterranean dishes and raw preparations. This Italian garlic’s mild pungency and delicate fragrance make it a versatile choice for various dishes, adding a rich aromatic quality without overpowering other ingredients.

Pairing Recommendations

Food Pairings: Purple Italian garlic, with its mild yet robust flavor and striking purple stripe, pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Its delicate heat and slightly sweet taste complement Mediterranean dishes, fresh salads, and salsas, making it an excellent addition to your kitchen. For the best results, use garlic bulbs harvested in early spring or fall, and consider planting seeds or purchasing from trusted sources to ensure optimal growth and flavor.

Wine and Beverage Pairings: Purple Italian garlic, with its mild, sweet flavor and purple stripes, pairs wonderfully with a variety of wines and beverages. For a refreshing match, try a crisp white wine or a light rosé to complement its delicate taste, especially in dishes featuring raw or sautéed garlic. Additionally, a smooth, well-balanced red wine can enhance the garlic's robust flavor in Mediterranean-inspired dishes, making it an excellent choice for spring or fall gatherings.

Cultivation Requirements

Growing Purple Italian garlic is relatively easy, making it a favorite among gardeners. Here are the key cultivation requirements:

  • Climate: This variety thrives in a range of climates but prefers temperate regions. It can tolerate mild winters and is well-suited for Mediterranean climates. However, it can also adapt to cooler climates with proper care.
  • Soil: Purple Italian garlic prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure can enhance soil fertility and structure.
  • Planting: Cloves should be planted in the fall, about 4-6 weeks before the first frost. In milder climates, spring planting is also possible. Plant each clove pointed end up, 2 inches deep, and 4-6 inches apart in rows spaced about 12 inches apart.
  • Watering: Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods. Garlic needs consistent moisture to develop properly, but overwatering should be avoided to prevent bulb rot.
  • Care: Mulching helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the bulbs from temperature fluctuations. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer or fish emulsion during the growing season for optimal growth.
  • Harvesting: Purple Italian garlic is usually ready to harvest in mid-summer. When the majority of the leaves have turned brown, the bulbs are mature. Carefully lift the bulbs from the soil and allow them to cure in a dry, well-ventilated area for several weeks.

Culinary Uses

The mild yet flavorful profile of Purple Italian garlic makes it a versatile ingredient in a variety of culinary dishes. Here are some popular uses:

  • Raw: Its balanced flavor makes it perfect for raw applications such as salads, salsas, and dressings. It can be minced and added to dips, spreads, and marinades for a subtle garlic kick.
  • Roasted: Roasting enhances its natural sweetness and mellows the heat. Roasted Purple Italian garlic can be spread on bread, incorporated into roasted vegetables, or blended into soups for added depth.
  • Sauteed: Sautéing brings out its aromatic qualities, making it an excellent addition to pasta sauces, stir-fries, and sautéed greens. It complements other ingredients without overpowering them.
  • Pickled: Pickling preserves the garlic and adds a tangy, zesty flavor. Pickled cloves are great for antipasto platters, sandwiches, and as a condiment for various dishes.

Purple Italian garlic is a unique and flavorful variety known for its beautiful appearance, mild yet robust flavor, and adaptability to different growing conditions. Its ease of cultivation and wide range of culinary applications make it a valuable addition to any garden and kitchen.

 

Why Order From Us?

At our farm, you get the highest quality Purple Stripe garlic bulbs, carefully grown and harvested by dedicated farmers to ensure robust growth and excellent germination. Our garlic is sold by the pound and perfect for planting in both fall and early spring, giving you the best chance for successful cultivation. Don’t miss out—purchase now and benefit from our extensive stock of seed garlic and seeds to support your garden’s success.

View our entire seed garlic collection!

Shipping Information

Ships from Northern CA.

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: 1.05 lb

Dimensions: 5.0"L x 3.0"W x 3.0"H

Features

  • Bulb
  • Container Compatible
  • Easy to Peel Cloves
  • Flavor Pick
  • Hardneck

Characteristics

USDA Growing Zone: 3 - 8
Garlic Type : Rocambole
Organic Certifier: WSDA

Use Instructions

Useful Information

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.

View full details

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
86%
(6)
14%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
T
Tayson Bowles
Surplus of Garlic but Slow Shipping

Planting this garlic soon, it said around 42 to 72 cloves of garlic, I ended up getting 82 so I am satisfied with that! Shipping was pretty slow however, that could be improved. Either way it is looking good with garlic next year!

A
Astrid Friedrich
need more garlic

We want to expand by growing a variety of garlic, this had great reviews. Ww will let you know how we do next year

Y
YZ
Great garlic. Great service. I am looking forward to a productive growing season.

Great garlic. Great service. I am looking forward to a productive growing season.

S
Selleck
First time buyer

1st time planting on this variety. Hoping for a good result.

C
Chris T
Purple Italian Garlic

Speedy delivery. Packaged well. Product arrived in great shape to plant.

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