Farmers seek to remind Costa Ricans that Creole garlic is much better in quality than the garlic imported from China.
Ricardo Quirós Garita is one of the farmers disseminating garlic seeds in the country. His farm in Cartago was given to him from his father and cultivating garlic for him is something cultural.
As one of the last few garlic farmers, he hopes to promote the local product and get it back into Tico kitchens. He explains that the quality, measured in high concentration of oil, is superior. It is also much fresher since garlic from China is in transit so long exposing it to pests and even germination.
Garlic is sown in the country in small areas without much data. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock does not have a suggested price for garlic listed although it is sold in farmers markets. In Zapote a large head of Creole garlic goes for ¢1,000.
