What is garlic?
Garlic is a type of allium that belongs to the lily family and is closely related to onions, shallots and chives. The plant grows underground in the form of onions, which are made up of separate parts called cloves, which are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Cloves of garlic are covered in thin, papery skins that are removed before cooking.
Garlic is a powerful food and only one clove can give a different flavor to the food in a large pot. Many often mistakenly think of garlic as a medicinal plant or spice, but technically, garlic is a vegetable in a family similar to onions, leeks, and shallots. It has a pungent odor and is suitable for some foods.
Why is garlic considered a very useful medicine?
Well, one reason is the vital compound allicin. Allicin is an interesting drug that has many medicinal properties. Garlic allicin contains sulfur, which gives garlic a delicious taste and aroma. Garlic has countless properties. Helps fight heart disease, colds and coughs and lowers blood pressure.
What are the health benefits of garlic?
In addition to being antiseptic and flavoring various foods, garlic is known to be effective in treating many complications and diseases such as hypertension, asthma, bronchitis, gout, rheumatism. Garlic is not a fragrant food but it has many health benefits like: Reduce the symptoms of colds and coughs, Lower blood pressure, Lower cholesterol, promotes heart health, Neuroprotective properties, prevent heavy metal poisoning, heals wounds, Increase bone health, strengthens digestion, regulates blood sugar, Strengthens the immune system, Eye care, Prevents acne and etc...
Origin of Garlic
Garlic is the oldest known medicinal plant or spice. It belongs to the allium species and its origin is Central Asia. Humans discovered the healing properties of this magical medicinal plant more than 3,000 years ago. Sir Louis Pasteur, the scientist who discovered pasteurization, used the antibacterial properties of garlic in 1858.
During World War I, surgeons used the properties of garlic extract to treat war wounds. Garlic contains major minerals such as phosphorus, calcium and iron. It also contains salts such as iodine, sulfur and chlorine that the body needs in small amounts. In terms of organic compounds, it is one of the rarest sources of allicin and type 1 and 2 alicatin.
Cultivation of garlic
You can start growing garlic from its small tubers (onions) in late summer or autumn. Before planting, you must prepare the ground. Plow the land and mix with a relatively large amount of animal manure. The soil should be completely loose to allow the tubers to grow and be in a sunny spot. After preparing the ground, plant the tubers at intervals of 10-15 cm. Try not to place the tubers too deep in the soil and so that the tip of the tubers is almost at the soil surface. Then water it thoroughly.
Garlic needs abundant irrigation, sun and rich and loose soil to produce a better crop. These factors and conditions, if available, produce larger, healthier glands.
How to Buy and Store Fresh Garlic
Shopping for garlic can be tricky at first because the cloves are hidden under the outer layers, but identifying fresh garlic is easy with practice.
Feel the bulbs. They should be firm and plump.
Avoid buying soft or spongy looking cloves. Or bulbs with green shoots growing out of them.
Store garlic at room temperature in a dry, dark place. Choose somewhere with proper airflow, like in a basket or open bag in a pantry.
What Are the Culinary Uses of Garlic?
Garlic is widely used all over the world, and many people around the world use it in different ways. The leaves and flowers (onions) on the head (spathe) are sometimes eaten They taste milder than onions and are often eaten when they are unripe and still soft. Unripe garlic is sometimes pulled, just like onions, and sold as green garlic.
Minus the spice, it creates the taste and aroma of garlic in food. Green garlic is often chopped and roasted in Southeast Asia and cooked in soups or hot pots.
To make a variety of classic dishes such as garlic bread, garlic toast, broccoli, crostini and couch, garlic may be placed on different types of bread, usually in butter or oil. The taste is different in terms of intensity and aroma with different cooking methods. Often paired with onions, tomatoes or ginger.