Genoeffa's

This variety of garlic has been stewarded by Carolyn Gatty of Pennsylvania since 1998. It was brought to the United States from Borgotaro, Italy probably sometime in the late 1930s or early 1940s by one of her father's cousins, Genoeffa (Genevieve) Caporali or her half-sister Ioli. Carolyn remembers visiting Genevieve's home as a child and young adult in the 1960s-1990s saying that three things were ever-present, Genevieve's lemon cake, Schenley Whiskey (she worked at the distillery) and her garlic. In 1997 at the age of 86, Genevieve was diagnosed with cancer for a third time. That fall, she shared 3 bulbs of garlic with Carolyn. They grew well the next summer, but Carolyn was hesitant to harvest and postponed digging them. Genevieve's condition had weakened and Carolyn had an awful feeling about the symbolic meaning. On July 5, 1998 she knew she had to finally dig the garlic. It was an emotional process - she just had a feeling that Genevieve was gone. Later that day, she learned Genevieve had indeed passed away that day. Carolyn shared this variety with SSE in 2017. Most bulbs will have reddish-purple streaking. At planting time, Carolyn chooses to replant the largest cloves that that also have the reddish-purple coloring. Requests may be made for this variety starting September 21, 2026 at 9 a.m. CT for shipment around mid-October.