Garlic

The scientific name for Garlic is Allium Sativum that belongs to the family of Onion genus, Allium. The garlic origin area is considered to be central Asia while it can also be seen in the different areas of Mediterranean region, Asia, Africa and Europe. Garlic is used majorly used for both the culinary and medicine preparations.

It is also termed as a bulbous plant that reaches a maximum height of 1.2 meters. The flower grown o this plant is called as hermaphrodite.

The different varieties of Garlic includes “wild garlic”, “crow garlic” and “field garlic” that belong to the family of the following species “Allium Ursinum”, “Allium Vineale” and “Allium Oleraceum” respectively. Pearl Garlic also known as Clove garlic can be seen in the regions in Yunnan that is part of China.

Cultivation

Growing Garlic is very easy and is the crop that is an all-year crop. The cultivation of Garlic is done by planting in the ground individual cloves. The plantation of clove is majorly done in the season of autumn at the time before the soil starts to freeze that is generally six weeks before the autumn season. The garlic must be grown at a depth such that the planted clove does not get freeze.  The garlic plant is very robust hence the plant can be rarely affected by pests. The plant of garlic keeps rabbits and moles away from the area where it is grown.

The plantation of Garlic can be done closely with the adequate space to let the bulbs of garlic mature. These can also be grown in containers that are of suitable depth to cultivate garlic. The best areas where garlic can be cultivated must be loose, very dry and the areas where garlic must be grown must be sunny. The cultivation of garlic must be done using large sized garlic bulbs.

The different types of garlic can be named as hardneck and softneck garlic. Hardneck garlic is majorly grown in regions with cooler climate whereas softneck garlic is generally grown in the areas that are close to equator.

Uses of Garlic

Culinary Usage: - The usage of Garlic is done in all parts of the world. The pungent smell of garlic is favorable in the preparation of many foods and it can be used for seasoning and for condiment. The garlic bulb is sectioned into many clove leaves with flesh. Garlic can be used either raw or cooked in food preparation while it can also be used in the preparation of several medicines. The characteristic of Garlic clove are that they have pungent fragrance, spice flavor that comes out while garlic is cooked.
Garlic is one of the key ingredients used in the many of the dishes that are consumed in parts if eastern, southern, and south-eastern and middle-east Asia, northern parts of Africa etc. The aroma of Garlic is fabulous when cooked. Garlic is generally used along with onion, ginger and tomato. The skin of the cloves of Garlic is removed before it can be used for either consuming raw or for cooking. The other way in which garlic can be used is in seasoning which can be achieved by removing the skin of garlic clove and then seeping it in olive oil and further roasting it in oven.

Garlic can be used in preparation of variety of breads like garlic bread, garlic toast, crostini etc. The other usage of garlic is by flavoring the oil with cloves of garlic and then using this oil for seasoning on salads, vegetables, pasta and breads.

Benefits of Garlic

1. Cardiovascular Benefits: - The major researches for the cardiovascular studies have been done with the usage of either garlic powder, garlic oil or garlic extracts. The usage of Garlic helps in lowering the blood triglycerides and also reduces cholesterol though it can be temperate.
2. Anti Inflammatory uses of Garlic on body systems: - The anti-inflammatory benefits of garlic help human body in many ways. The presence of diallyl sulfide and thiacremonone in garlic has proven beneficial since these are good in anti-arthritic properties.
3. Antibacterial and Antiviral Benefits: - Garlic can also be used for treating the infections that have been caused either by the bad bacteria or viruses.

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