Published on May 7, 2025
Did you know that 20 to 30 varieties of garlic are grown in Quebec?
Just like apples, Quebec garlic grows in several different varieties. While we know garlic for its versatility and bold flavour, it’s important to know that each variety has its own distinct qualities. And let’s not forget its many derived products! From colour to aroma, every bulb is different — which is what makes garlic so unique.
Because we love teaching you new things, we met with Ail Québec to deepen our knowledge of this fascinating herbaceous garden plant (that’s just a fancy term for garlic)!
Garlic and its derivatives
Did you know that between 20 and 30 varieties of garlic are grown in Quebec? Surprising, isn’t it?
Since we don’t have all day to peel each bulb and analyze its properties one by one, we selected the most popular variety along with two of its derivatives.
Music Garlic: flavourful and perfect for storage
First question that probably comes to mind: why “Music”? The name was given by none other than its importer, Al Music. Originally from Italy, Mr. Music had a few cloves in his luggage during a trip to Canada in the 1980s. We are particularly grateful to him today!
Music garlic is one of the easiest varieties to grow in Quebec thanks to its strong resistance to our harsh winters. It’s also known for its exceptional shelf life, which can extend up to 365 days. However, for those who are a bit shy about garlic breath, we should mention that Music garlic has a very strong, even spicy flavour.
Garlic scapes: mild and delicious for beginners
What’s amazing about garlic scapes is that they are essential to garlic bulb production. In simple terms, the scape is the first stage of the bulb’s growth. To allow the bulb to develop properly, farmers must cut the scape’s stem towards the end of June, when it curls around itself about two full turns.
How to eat it? If you don’t want to overthink it, you can eat it raw just like a green onion. Otherwise, you can blanch it like asparagus and enjoy it as a side dish. Garlic scapes are perfect for anyone wanting to slowly develop their palate!
Black garlic: a must-try for meats and risotto
And no — black garlic doesn’t grow that way! It is actually a regular garlic clove that has been exposed to high-temperature steam for eight weeks. During this labour-intensive process, the clove loses its water content, turning into a dark, soft paste similar to onion confit. At first glance, it may not seem appealing, but trust us — it’s worth the try!
As for how to use it, black garlic has many strengths. You can add it to elevate a filet mignon, or use it as a topping on baked brie. The possibilities are endless thanks to its delicate, refined taste!
There you go — this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all there is to know about Quebec garlic. To learn more about garlic varieties and their properties, we encourage you to visit one of the province’s 200 garlic producers. Find one near you today!
