How to Order Stiffneck Garlic

Stiffneck garlic grows in cooler climates.

Stiffneck garlic carries several names, such as rocambole, ophio or serpent. Unlike soft-stemmed garlic, stiffneck garlic stems do not lend themselves to braiding. The plant produces a hard, twisted stalk with a false flower before cloves grow. These varieties share similarities with wild species of garlic and originated in northern European climates. Elephant garlic and soft-stemmed garlic most widely appear in grocery stores. Locating stiffneck garlic provides a worthy culinary challenge.

Instructions

1. Locate your local gourmet or organic grocery store. If stiffneck garlic does not appear on the shelf, ask to order it. A knowledgeable staff member should know the variety. If not, use variety names such as Korean Red, Georgia Fire or others. Alternately, describe distinct characteristics, such as a hard stem and often white-to-purple hues. Stiffneck garlic thrives at latitudes of 40 degrees north or higher. Therefore, encourage the grocer to ask suppliers in the northern United States or Canada.

2. Contact suppliers and small farms. Sometimes farms or gourmet shops advertise on the Internet. Local Harvest, for example, lists produce and spices from small local growers across the United States. Select "Produce " in the "Grocery and Produce" section of the site. Stiffneck garlic typically appears if it is in season.

3. Order seeds if you desire an ongoing supply. Several nationally-available seed catalogs offer stiffneck garlic seeds. If you live in the northern United States from approximately as far south as Pennsylvania and as far north as Maine, the stiffneck garlic can thrive.

References

• "University of California: A Garlic Primer"; Orin Marin; 2008
• Local Harvest
• Enchanted Learning: USA (Contiguous) Latitude and Longitude