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What Is Garlic?

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

An herb is a plant whose leaves, seeds, or flowers are used for flavoring food or in medicine. Other uses of herbs include cosmetics, dyes, and perfumes. The name derives from the Latin herba, meaning "green crops."

Garlic (Allium sativum) is from the Alliaceae family like its close relatives chives, leek, and onions. The edible herb most commonly associated with the name is the bulb of garlic cloves that is found underground, below the leafy, scallion-like growth. Hardneck and softneck are the two basic varieties. One key difference is that hardneck sends up a flower stalk, called a scape, which is another edible portion of the plant. The scape is less well known in the U.S., possibly because most grown for commercial use is softneck.

Garlic scapes.
Garlic scapes.

History. Garlic has a long history of popularity and was used in Ancient Egypt, as evidenced by its discovery in King Tut's tomb. It has been used for culinary and medical purposes throughout history, and also has a reputation as a repellent of irritants from mosquitoes to vampires. Gilroy, California celebrates itself as the "Garlic Capital of the World," and, indeed, about 90% of the that grown in the U.S. is grown in California.

Garlic comes in a powder form that is used in cooking.
Garlic comes in a powder form that is used in cooking.

Description. A garlic bulb, composed of 4-60 cloves, can be 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter (4 to 7.5 cm) and grow to a height of 10 inches to 5 feet (10 cm to 1.5 m). The flowers are white with a rose or green cast. The bulbs themselves are creamy white and may have a purplish hue, as may the paper-like covering that surrounds the bulb and encloses each clove.

Garlic may be stored in oil.
Garlic may be stored in oil.

Gardening. Garlic is a perennial usually grown as an annual and best when planted in the fall for harvest the following year. It prefers well-drained soil and must be planted pointed-side-up. This herb is used in companion planting, also known as co-planting, to keep pests away from other plants, but legumes, peas, and potatoes do not do well in its presence.

Garlic bulbs may contain as many as 60 cloves.
Garlic bulbs may contain as many as 60 cloves.

Food and other uses. There are certain dishes that are unimaginable without garlic: the sauce from France called aioli, the Italian anchovy dip called bagna cauda, the Middle Eastern spread hummus, Greek Tzatziki sauce, and, of course, garlic bread, to name a few. It is also used in many Italian sauces, in Southeast Asian stir-fries, and roasted for use as a spread. There are jellies and jams, and even ice cream. For a milder flavor, choose Elephant garlic, which — while large in size — is "reduced" in taste. This herb is also a popular craft item: it is braided and made into wreaths.

Consuming garlic on a regular basis may cause bloating and increased flatulence.
Consuming garlic on a regular basis may cause bloating and increased flatulence.

Preservation. Garlic keepers, covered ceramic pots with holes for circulation, provide the kind of cool, dark climate in which the bulbs keep best. Green shoots on stored garlic do not mean it can no longer be used, but the flavor will be milder. Neither freezing nor drying gives satisfactory results, but pickling, or storing peeled cloves in wine or vinegar in the refrigerator, will preserve the plant for up to four months. Scapes can be kept in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Do not, on your own, store garlic in oil, even under refrigeration as is sometimes recommended, because cases of botulism have resulted. Commercial preparations in oil, by law, have been specially treated to prevent this possibility.

Garlic is a staple in many Chinese stir-fries.
Garlic is a staple in many Chinese stir-fries.

Garlic, with its rich history and myriad health benefits, stands out as a culinary staple and a natural remedy. Its potent compounds, such as allicin, contribute to its therapeutic properties, which include boosting immunity and improving heart health. While garlic is a versatile ingredient in the kitchen, not everyone can enjoy its pungent flavor or manage its consumption in raw form. For those seeking alternative ways to harness the benefits of vegetables, exploring the best greens supplements can offer a convenient solution, providing a spectrum of nutrients in an easily consumable form. This approach ensures that the advantages of garlic, along with other nutrient-dense greens, are accessible to all, regardless of dietary preferences or restrictions.

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to DelightedCooking about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to DelightedCooking about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

wombats01

Baked/Roasted garlic is a fantastic addition to a Sunday roast. One or two whole bulbs per serving. It should just be rinsed & patted dry with a paper towel, (do not peel). Roast them along with the potatoes & serve with the veges. To eat just squeeze the 'soft creamy pulp' of an unpeeled clove directly into your mouth. It is much milder when eaten this way, a real treat.

anon30207

I have garlic in my garden from last year. Shoots are nice and high. Can the shoots be eaten like green onion or chives?

anon24738

Please tell me, if it is possible,how can i avoid the smell of garlic after eating it. Thank you

somerset

Here are some garlic measurement yields:

1 small clove of garlic equals one half teaspoon of

garlic

1 medium clove equals one teaspoon

1 large clove equals two teaspoons

1 extra large clove equals one tablespoon

somerset

I have never tried it, but there is even garlic ice cream.

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    • Garlic scapes.
      By: BSANI
      Garlic scapes.
    • Garlic comes in a powder form that is used in cooking.
      By: Comugnero Silvana
      Garlic comes in a powder form that is used in cooking.
    • Garlic may be stored in oil.
      By: MediablitzImages
      Garlic may be stored in oil.
    • Garlic bulbs may contain as many as 60 cloves.
      By: atoss
      Garlic bulbs may contain as many as 60 cloves.
    • Consuming garlic on a regular basis may cause bloating and increased flatulence.
      By: inesbazdar
      Consuming garlic on a regular basis may cause bloating and increased flatulence.
    • Garlic is a staple in many Chinese stir-fries.
      By: Periwinkle Studio
      Garlic is a staple in many Chinese stir-fries.