The great news is, just like tomatoes and other vegetables, different varieties of garlic exist, including dozens of cultivars with unique flavors, uses, and growing attributes. These largely unexplored garlics are historic cultivars that do not lend themselves as easily to modern agriculture as California Early, the standard cultivar found everywhere in stores, which is why you don't see them. Many historic, Heirloom varieties (those that have remained genetically unchanged over time) require specialized care, including hand planting, pruning, and delicate curing to harness the full flavor and value of these bulbs. All of these actions increase production costs and decrease incentive for farmers, resulting in only one option at the grocery store. What ends up being sacrificed are whole categories of unique and distinctly flavorful historic Garlic cultivars from around the world, with attributes and uses just waiting to be discovered.