Among the symphony of garlic varieties, one name sings louder than most—Music garlic. Known for its robust flavor, ease of cultivation, and enormous cloves, Music has earned its place as a virtuoso in the world of hardneck garlic. But what’s in a name? And how did this bulb rise to fame? To answer that, we need to unravel its roots, science, folklore, and, of course, its name.
A Humble Beginning: Music’s Creation Story
In the early 1980s, in the rolling fields of Southwestern Ontario, tobacco farmers were hitting a sour note. Tobacco’s profitability was dwindling, and many growers began exploring alternative crops. Enter Al Music, a grower who saw promise in garlic. He experimented with a variety of hardneck garlic, a Porcelain type, well-suited to Ontario’s soil and climate. Hardneck garlics like Music are known for their central scape—a flowering stalk that curls into a beautiful spiral—and their relatively small number of large cloves. Unlike softneck varieties, hardneck garlic is easier to peel and boasts a more potent flavor, making it a favorite among chefs and garlic aficionados alike.
Al’s garlic had several advantages:
Big cloves, big flavor: Each bulb contained just 4–6 large cloves, easy to peel and bursting with bold, garlicky heat.
Cold-hardy resilience: It thrived in Ontario’s frosty winters, where cold vernalization triggers proper bulb development.
Market appeal: Its visual appeal and utility made it distinct from imported supermarket garlic, often bland and mass-produced.
Recognizing the potential, Al and 12 other growers formed the Ontario Garlic Growers Association (OGGA) in 1985, marketing this new strain as a Canadian alternative to the generic, china-grown garlic flooding grocery stores.
What’s in a Name?
The garlic was christened "Music" as a nod to Al’s efforts and surname—a fitting tribute to the man who orchestrated its development. But was Music always its name? It’s likely that the variety had a less poetic moniker during its early trials, as many strains of Porcelain garlic were imported to North America under generic labels like "Continental Garlic" or "Polish Garlic." Perhaps it was referred to simply as "Porcelain Number 7" in the field or bore a utilitarian name tied to its country of origin. The name “Music” struck a chord, though. It’s catchy, memorable, and, dare we say, lyrical—perfect for marketing. Imagine the joy of saying, "I’ll take a bulb of Music, please." In a way, the name transformed garlic from a pantry staple into a culinary star.
The Science of Music Garlic
Music belongs to the Porcelain group, one of the main hardneck garlic types. Scientifically, garlic varieties can be a genetic puzzle, as they are propagated through cloves rather than seeds. This means that Music garlic today is genetically identical to the original bulbs Al Music cultivated decades ago.
Porcelain garlics are known for:
High allicin content: Allicin, garlic’s primary bioactive compound, gives it antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Music is often praised for its high allicin levels, which enhance both flavor and health benefits.
Cold tolerance: Porcelain varieties thrive in regions with harsh winters, making them ideal for northern climates like Ontario, Wisconsin, and Montana.
Uniformity: Music garlic consistently produces large bulbs with smooth, white skins—a hallmark of Porcelain types.
In recent years, genetic studies have revealed that many garlic varieties marketed under different names may actually be clones of the same strain. Could other Porcelains, like German White or Romanian Red, share some DNA with Music? It’s possible, but Music’s unique cultivation history in Canada ensures its place as a distinct variety.
Folklore and Fun Facts
Garlic has always carried an air of mystery and superstition. From warding off vampires to promoting fertility, garlic’s folklore runs deep. While Music garlic might not have ancient myths tied to it, it’s fun to imagine its own set of modern legends:
The Canadian Shield Charm: Farmers joke that planting Music garlic protects your fields from pests and bad weather, much like a garlic-flavored good-luck charm.
The “Chef’s Darling”: Chefs across North America claim Music garlic elevates any dish, as its robust flavor doesn’t fade during cooking.
A Canadian Treasure, A Global Star
Today, Music garlic is grown not only across Canada but also throughout the United States and beyond. It’s beloved for its flavor, reliability, and versatility, whether roasted whole, minced into a sauce, or planted in the backyard garden.
At Grow Eat Farm, where garlic is an art form, Music is more than just a crop—it’s a conversation starter, a teaching tool, and a reflection of the power of a good name. After all, in the world of garlic, few varieties can claim such fame while still feeling like an old friend.
A Note of Thanks to Al Music
Without Al Music’s dedication to garlic, we might never have had the joy of planting Music bulbs in our gardens or tasting their robust cloves in our kitchens. His legacy continues to inspire growers, chefs, and garlic lovers worldwide.
So next time you slice into a clove of Music, take a moment to savor its story—a melody of history, science, and the love of good food.
