Lautrec Pink Garlic


Lautrec Pink Garlic is a protected geographical indication
indicating a specific production of garlic from the Lautrec commune in the Tarn department in southern France.
This crop has been, since 1966, listed under the French Label Rouge "ail rose" and under the protected geographical indication ail rose de Lautrec since June 12, 1996.

Characteristics

Lautrec pink garlic is characterized by its pink tunicas, its extended dormancy and by its rigid floral stem that produces clusters of garlic instead of braids as with traditional garlic.
The garlic has a highly developed flavor. Due to the extended drying time, it is well-suited to long-term storage.

Geographical delimitation

The geographical area of production of Lautrec pink garlic has been defined taking into account the historical traditions of cultivation and the characteristics of the terroir. It consists of 88 communes in the western part of the Tarn, in a region with clay and limestone soils, watered by the Agout and Dadou rivers.

History

The pink garlic has been popular in Lautrec since the Middle Ages. Stories are told of a wandering merchant who was unable to pay for his meal at a local tavern; he settled his bill with a mysterious pink garlic. The surprised tavern owner decided to plant it and the pink garlic has been common to the area ever since.