Subtle Garlic: Everything You Need To Know To Unlock Its Health Benefits And Flavor

Are your recipes boring without garlic?

Well, I grew up in a house where the fragrance of garlic sizzling in olive oil was the first step to almost every recipe. So, I can’t imagine my recipes without this fantastic herb. From delightful bread and pasta to tangy stir-fries, this popular herb is the main ingredient that holds everything together!

For me, this herb has a separate fan base. While developing my interest in holistic medicine, I discovered that garlic is known for its natural antibiotic properties, and ancient Greeks called it Poor Man’s penicillin. Since then, I have always tried to add garlic to my herbal remedies!

Amazingly, this herb does more than add flavor to our dishes. Let’s explore how!

Characteristics

Let’s dive into this flavorsome plant’s characteristics.

Classification

• Scientific Name: Allium sativum
• Family: Amaryllidaceae
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Class: Liliopsida
• Order: Asparagales
• Genus: Allium
• Specie: Sativum

Primary Characteristics

Roots

• The fibrous roots originating from the bulb’s base are shallow and generally grow only a few inches (about 5-7 inches) into the soil  
• These white to light-tan roots are delicate, thin (like a strand of hair), and have a smooth texture

Stem

• The garlic produces a pseudostem (false stems) at the plant’s base, formed by the tightly wrapped leaf sheaths
• It is thick and short in appearance yet supports the leaves
• The pseudostems are green with a smooth and firm texture

Scapes

• The scapes (flowering stalks) are the true stems from the center of the plant
• They are long (3-4 ft – 90-120 cm), thin, and curl into a spiral-like appearance
• These hollow scapes are light purple with a waxy touch and are tender (young) while fibrous when ripe
• These scapes resemble long beans and asparagus

Bulb

• The main ingredient of this plant is its bulb, which is 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) in diameter and has a paper-like outer skin that peels easily 
• The rounded, white bulbs contain multiple cloves (around 15-20) wrapped inside the outer skin
• These off-white cloves have a firm and fleshy texture with a creamy taste (when cooked)

Seeds

• The flower heads of the plants rarely produce true seeds (similar to onion seeds)
• They are tiny (about 3-4 mm) in diameter with a rough surface and dry texture

Leaves

• The lance-shaped leaves are long (2 ft – 61 cm), narrow, and flat, precisely like grass blades
• The leaves around the plant’s base are in a rosette pattern (about 5 to 10)
• They are bright green with a smooth and waxy texture

Flowers

• The flowers are in umbel form at the end of the scape
• Each umbel contains numerous tiny (about 1 inch – 2.5 cm) star-shaped flowers
• These flowers are white to pale pink with a delicate and smooth texture

Secondary Characteristics

• Plant Form: Perennial (Bulbous)
• Height: 2-3 ft
• Odor: Pungent, characteristic (smells like acetylene)
• Taste: Sharp and spicy (raw) and sweet with a hint of caramel (cooked)
• Habitat: South Asia and Central Asia
• Soil Type: Well-drained and fertile with acidic-neutral pH
• Planting time: Fall to early spring
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Germination Span: 7-14 days
• Part Used: Bulb (Clove)
• Substitute: Onion and Fennel

Health Benefits of Garlic

As a child, I never liked the taste of raw garlic, but as I grew old, I was amazed to discover its wholesomeness as a spice and its benefits to our health.

Let’s get into its amazing health benefits.

Nutritional Cloves

Did you know that a single garlic clove (about 2 grams) is highly nutritious for your health? Yes, just a single clove!

It is a good source of nutrients that our body craves! It contains carbs, protein, fiber, vitamins (B complex and C), and minerals (manganese and selenium).

Hypertension

Are you worried about your high blood pressure? Garlic is your best friend for hypertension!

Allicin, the active compound, can help reduce hypertension and improve cholesterol levels while treating other heart diseases.

Natural Antibiotic

As I said earlier, garlic is a natural antibiotic and the mainstay in fighting against bacterial and fungal infections. It enhances your defense mechanism, encouraging you to fight off infections!

I remember my brave father starting each morning with toast spread with butter and topped with raw garlic! The taste was strong, and his breath afterward was unmistakable. Despite this, he never suffered from any illnesses, his health was perfect.

Tip: Roast a few cloves and have it with honey for a common cold!

Detoxifier

This powerful herb contains sulfur compounds that can help your body detoxify heavy metals (lead, mercury, copper) to protect your vital organs.

Improves Your Workout

Do you get exhausted during workouts and leave them undone? Try taking garlic pre-workout. 

It can improve your workout by reducing fatigue and enhancing muscle blood flow. 

Fact: Ancient cultures used raw garlic to enhance their work capacity!   

Side Effects of Garlic

Did you know eating small garlic cloves (about 1-2) daily is safe and harm-free? Yes! Having food amounts of it is LIKELY SAFE for most people, but we should be aware of its harmful side effects on our health. Yeah, I know, even the most popular herb in the world can have its side effects.

Since this herb has a warm and dry temperament, it can cause:

• Allergies
• The presence of a compound, allicin, may cause characteristic body odor and bad breath
• Heartburn/acidity
• Epistaxis (nosebleed)
• Dizziness

Who Should Avoid Garlic?

If you are among one of the following, it is better to consult your doctor before consuming garlic as a medicine.

• If you are pregnant, it may induce early labor or increase the risk of miscarriage
• If you are on your blood-thinner medicines (warfarin and heparin), it may increase the risk of bleeding
• If you suffer from migraines, it may trigger headaches

How to Grow and Harvest Garlic

This wise plant has a long growing span. And by long, I mean 7 to 9 whole months!

But don’t let this time stop you from growing your garlic. This long wait is well worth the spell, just like your baby (without midnight crying for feed).

Growing (From a Clove)

• Choose well-drained, fertile soil with an acidic-neutral pH and a sunny spot (at least six hours a day)
• Add compost to boost the soil
• Plant the cloves with pointed side up and rooting side down (about 2 inches) deep and 4-6 inches apart
• Mulching is always a better idea to protect your cloves from cold spells and unwanted weeds
• Keep the soil moist thoroughly (not waterlogged)
• Once the cold spells have passed, remove the mulch to allow the sprouts to grow freely

Harvesting

• The best time to harvest it is in summer (when the lower part of the leaves becomes yellow)
• Use your regular garden fork to loosen the soil. Then, grab the plant around the base and drag it out of the ground
• Shake off the dirt, and do not wash the bulbs
• Before storing, lay the collected garlic in a single layer and place them in a warm and dry area. Let it sit for 3 weeks (at least)
• After that, trim the roots and cut the scapes to about one inch above the bulb

Storing Garlic

Garlic is so easy to store!

That’s how I store it while maintaining its freshness and aroma.

Whole (Unpeeled)

Grabbing a few garlic bulbs in my woven basket and keeping them on my kitchen counter right away is the easiest way to store them (when I have a lot on my plate).

It lasts up to six months when kept out of sunlight and moisture! It is important to keep the layers of the bulb intact.

Peeled Cloves

Peeling a basket full of garlic cloves and shelling peas while watching a good movie is fun! That’s how I can have “me time”.

The options for storing peeled cloves are endless! Today, I am sharing my top three preferred ways to store them for the future, and it really couldn’t be any easier. Choose an option or try all three.

• Pickles: Make a pickle infused with vinegar
• Drying: Keep the peeled cloves in a dry, well-ventilated area and let them sit for two weeks. After that, grind them into a powder, and your garlic powder is ready!
• Paste: Wash the peeled cloves thoroughly. Chop them and blend them by adding 1 cup of water and a small chopped ginger. You can freeze this quickest ginger-garlic paste for up to two weeks

Tip: If you prefer to make a paste, use airtight containers or an ice tray (I used silicon-based) and pour an equal amount of paste in each section. Then, transfer the frozen cubes in a zipper.

Freezing Peeled Garlic

Can you freeze peeled garlic? Yes, you are at the right place!

The peeled bulb may become stale within a few days. But you can save your extra peeled cloves by freezing them!

• Wash the peeled cloves and chop them
• Add olive oil (half a cup) with a pinch of salt (this can prolong its shelf-life for several months)
• Use a freezer-safe bag and freeze it

How to Store Garlic Scapes

Storing scapes for your next pesto dip, stir-fries, or pasta is no less than giving yourself a treat.

You can refrigerate the chopped scapes in brown paper or freeze them in a zipper bag.

Garlic Tincture

I always grab a bottle of garlic tincture whenever we travel.

A few drops work like magic for motion sickness and seasickness!

How to Consume Garlic

Consuming this delicious herb is easy! 

Did you know you can consume it more than just a clove? Surprisingly, yes! This herb is no less than a special ingredient to your regular dishes.

On a random evening, I tried a basil and garlic scape pesto for my kids and grilled scapes with leftover chicken for myself. God! It turned out so delicious!

Here are the easy ways you can incorporate this versatile plant into your dishes.

• Ginger-garlic paste for a subtle, creamy touch to your regular dishes and sauteed veggies. Its aroma is enough to make you peckish for dinner
• Pickled garlic. It should be a must-have pickle in your kitchen pantry!
• Garlic bread (my comfort snack)
• Garlic oil for salad dressings, grilled fish, and marinades
• For garnishing, I use garlic scapes, leaves, and sometimes flowers

Start your recipes with garlic and add flavor to your life!

The information presented in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen.