When it comes to garlic, most of us are familiar with the common white variety. But you may have noticed purple garlic making its way into grocery stores and farmers markets. So what’s the difference, and is one better than the other?
Overview of Garlic Types
There are over 600 varieties of garlic but they generally fall into two main categories
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Softneck garlic – This is the most common supermarket garlic. It has a soft stalk and milder flavor. White garlic falls into this category.
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Hardneck garlic has a stiff stalk in the middle, which is called the “scape.” It has a more intense, pungent flavor. Purple garlic is usually a hardneck variety.
The garlic is either white or purple on the outside, but the real differences are in how it tastes and what it can be used for.
Flavor Profile
White garlic has a more mellow, sweet flavor. When you don’t want garlic to be the main flavor, this method works well. Purple garlic is much more pungent, even spicy. It adds a robust garlic punch.
In general, purple garlic has around 1.5-2 times more potent flavor compounds than white. It’s a bolder, more complex taste.
Health Benefits
The purple color of certain garlic comes from antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins. These are associated with benefits like:
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduced inflammation
- Lower cancer risk
While all garlic contains beneficial compounds like allicin, some research shows purple varieties can have over twice the concentration. So they may offer enhanced health effects.
Culinary Uses
The mild taste of white garlic makes it extremely versatile:
- Sautéed aromatically in olive oil
- Added to soups, sauces, dressings
- Infused into oils and vinegars
- Baked into bread
The more robust purple garlic shines when you want the garlic itself to be prominent:
- Roasted whole for creamy spreads
- Grilled or fried to mellow its bite
- Pickled or marinated
- Added to bold sauces and rubs
Storage and Availability
Softneck white garlic has a longer shelf life, up to 8 months properly stored. It’s easier to grow on a large scale. This makes it more widely available year-round.
Purple hardneck garlic lasts 3-6 months. It’s best used soon after harvest. You’re more likely to find it seasonally at farmers markets and specialty grocers.
The Verdict
So is purple garlic better? It offers a more complex, nuanced flavor and may have additional health perks. But white garlic is more versatile for everyday cooking.
The “best” garlic depends on your taste preferences and how you plan to use it. Try both to see which you prefer. Mixing varieties can provide balanced flavor in recipes. With its beautiful color and bold kick, purple garlic is definitely worth exploring beyond the familiar white bulb.
How Purple Garlic Differs from White Garlic in Appearance
At first glance, the differences in appearance are clear: purple garlic has these beautiful purple stripes along the outer skins or papery sheath of the garlic head. This garlic is typically from the Italian purple garlic of the purple garlic varieties though there are others. This speaks to the major differences between the two garlic varieties about the type of crop:
White Garlic: Also known as “softneck” garlic, this is the most common type of garlic and can be referred to as the “regular garlic” that is seen in grocery stores. It features white bulbs with papery white skin and is typically available year-round. White garlic has a rich history, dating back thousands of years, and is believed to have originated in Central Asia. It has been cultivated in various regions worldwide and is known for its milder flavor and versatility.
Purple Garlic: Purple garlic is named for its stunning purple-striped outer skin. One popular purple garlic variety is Italian Purple Garlic. It comes from the hardneck varieties where a hard woody stalk grows through the center of the bulb. Thus, a hard-neck garlic bulb forms as a result. This hardneck garlic boasts a vibrant and visually appealing appearance given the vibrant purple skin surrounding the large cloves. Purple garlic is known for its robust, slightly peppery flavor and is often favored by garlic enthusiasts for its unique taste. Other purple garlic types include Killarney Red which we are growing in our garden now.
How to Cook with These Varieties of Garlic
Cooking with either garlic type demonstrates its own versatility. You cannot go wrong with either in terms of taste. When cooking with garlic, you can peel cloves at a time or roast the entire bulb. I love roasting whole bulbs of garlic in a bit of olive oil to make a compound butter. One other option is to roast the peeled garlic cloves in a little olive oil over low heat to make a confit. This affords a unique flavor when spread on toasted slices of bread. A few ideas to kick off cooking with garlic to add stronger flavor to a number of dishes:
- Larger garlic cloves can be minced and used in many pasta sauces, soups, and vegetables that have been sautéed.
- Cut softneck whole cloves in half for recipes where garlic should go with other flavors instead of taking over.
- Peel and grate raw garlic cloves to make a compound garlic butter. You can also roast whole cloves to make a savory butter. This offers a subtle garlic aroma and flavor.
- When you need a stronger garlic flavor, like in garlic-heavy sauces, marinades, and aiolis, add cloves of purple garlic.
- To add a little crunch to soups and salads, fry or toast thin slices of garlic cloves till golden brown.
- Purple garlic is also great when added to oils and vinegars that already have garlic in them, making them smell and taste better overall. You can still do the same thing with garlic that is white.
- Plus, don’t forget the scapes! The garlic scape is also a tasty summer part. Sauté the scapes in olive oil or use in pestos. I also loved topping our weekly pizzas with these.
Purple over White Garlic??
FAQ
What are the benefits of purple garlic?
Italian Purple Garlic is a softneck variety known for its mild, rich, and smooth flavor. Its cloves are large, with thick, easily peeled skins, making it versatile for raw and cooked dishes. It provides nutrients like manganese, vitamin C, calcium, and iron, and it offers antibacterial and antiviral benefits.
What is the healthiest garlic to eat?
While all types of garlic offer health benefits, raw garlic, particularly when freshly crushed, is often considered the most potent due to its higher allicin content. Black garlic, created by aging regular garlic, also offers significant health advantages, including potentially higher antioxidant activity.
Which color garlic is best?
Better? White garlic is the best choice for most people because it is the most common and easy to find. Oct 19, 2022.
Does it matter if garlic is purple?
While you might find it off-putting to cook with green or even blue-hued garlic, this isn’t a sign your garlic has gone bad; it is safe to eat. Mar 17, 2023.