A good way to avoid any problematic situations while cooking a recipe that requires fresh garlic is to memorize how many cloves are in a head of garlic.
Knowing how many cloves are in a head of garlic is a skill that will come in handy in the kitchen! To avoid any problematic situation while cooking a recipe that requires fresh garlic, it is best to memorize the number of garlic cloves per head of garlic.
When recipes call for fresh garlic, they generally indicate the amount needed in the number of cloves. Garlic cloves are small slices inside a head of garlic. But if you need to go shopping and buy some garlic, how many garlic cloves will you buy?
In this article, we will discuss how Many cloves in a head of garlic. And some important information about the different types of garlic that affects the number of cloves per head.
How Many Cloves In A Head Of Garlic?
- There is no definite number of cloves that can be in one head of garlic.
- The largest number of garlic cloves on a head of garlic is 24 (30 in rare cases!) while the smallest number is 1. A head of garlic that has undergone poor development and early harvest can contain one large clove!
- The average number of garlic cloves in a head of garlic is about 10 to 15.
- Not all garlic heads have this number and it varies a lot depending on the type of garlic you use.
There Are Two Main Types Of Garlic:
Hardneck Garlic Head and Softneck Garlic Head. Both show variance in taste, size, longevity, and number of garlic cloves per head of garlic.
Number Of Cloves According To The Type Of Garlic
Number of Cloves in a Hardneck Garlic Head
It is one of the varieties of garlic that contains long, non-papery stems that extend from the root to the top. Also, you can eat them while they are green. The most prominent types of hard garlic are the following:
Spanish Roja
It contains 5 to 8 cloves per head.
The spicy flavor also varies in this type, characterized by huge heads and large dark green leaves. And the color of the head cover is purple to brown. It grows excellent in cold weather and cannot grow in warm weather. This type is slow in maturation as it needs Approximately 240 autumn days to ripen.
German Extra-Hardy
The number of cloves per head ranges from 4 to 7.
This type is one of the best types of hard garlic. It has a distinctive taste, you can store it for a long period of up to 10 months and remains as it is.
Georgian Crystal
Each head contains about 4 to 6 large-size cloves.
This type has a light, pleasant flavor. And it has a flavor as if saturated with butter when cooked, its transparent white crust.
Siberian
Each head contains 5 to 9 large cloves.
This type of garlic can be grown in temperate climates but also tolerates the coldest climates. Hard garlic is very healthy, has a mild flavor when cooked, is more flavorful, and is fresh.
Carpathian
The head contains from 8 to 9 cloves.
One of the types of garlic is very tasty and has a rich taste and a gradual spicy taste in it. It is classified as rock garlic. It grows well in cold weather areas and its peel is thin, and it is very excellent for use in pickles.
Number of Cloves in a Softneck Garlic Head
It is garlic developed from hard garlic, which is the common garlic in stores due to its rapid maturity. Therefore, it is suitable for commercial purposes and is more adaptable to different climates. One head of it contains a larger amount of cloves compared to hard garlic in general.
The following are different types of soft garlic:
Artichoke
Each head contains 12 to 25 cloves with an asymmetrical arrangement within the head and has a flat shape.
This is the largest of the soft garlic species, and it matures quickly in a variety of climates and soil conditions, So it is a popular choice for farmers and homeowners to grow, and it stores for a long time up to ten months.
Silverskin
The head contains 8 to 40 cloves
This type of soft garlic takes more time to ripen than artichoke. Also, It has five layers from the outside. its sizes are irregular and difficult to peel. It is mostly white and the shape of the lobe is like a tear, and its flavor is strong and distinctive, and it can be stored well for about a year.
Inchelium Red
This type of fine garlic contains, on average, 15 cloves per head and may have up to 20 cloves per head.
Unlike other types of fine garlic, all cloves are large, very suitable for cooking and mashing with other vegetables, and their flavor is rich.
California Early
Each head contains an appropriate number of lobes, from 10 to 16 on average.
This type of soft garlic is one of the easiest to grow and grow. It has a wonderful flavor and can be stored for up to 6 months.
California Late
Contains from 12 to 16 cloves in one head
This variety takes more time to fully mature than the early California variety. It has a classic and hotter flavor and remains intact for long periods of up to a year, planted in spring and harvested in early summer.
Conclusion Of How Many Cloves In A Head Of Garlic
In what was mentioned above, you knew How Many Cloves In A Head Of Garlic according to its different types. Each with its own characteristics and advantages. And accordingly, if you are interested in garlic cultivation you can compare the types and choose the best for your need and select the best type of garlic.
In general, hard garlic is larger and takes longer to mature, in contrast. Soft garlic is characterized by the size of Smaller cloves, but fast ripening, easy cultivation, and adapts easily to different climates.
And there are many types with good features, which make it an excellent choice for your favorite recipe.
