Whether it is mouth-watering pasta or tempting garlic bread, most dishes are incomplete without garlic. Its mind-pleasing aroma and meaty flavor make it the key ingredient of all cuisines.
But, to our surprise, garlic also has medicinal value. But have you ever wondered what is garlic? is garlic a vegetable?
Some people even consider it as a spice. Well, the answer is not a typical yes or no. There’s a lot of confusion and this article is all about answering it.
What is garlic? Is garlic a vegetable? or spice? Or a herb? Continue our article reading to find out is garlic a vegetable?
All about Garlic
Allium sativum
Garlic is a bulb that is grown underground. It has green shoots which produce flower stalks which are known as scapes. The headpiece, bulb, and papery skin, altogether make the cloves.
The clove consists of yellow flesh, which is used for cooking purposes. Garlic has a strong, pungent flavor. This is why it is cooked before being served to anyone.
Do You Know Garlic and Onion Are Cousin Sisters?
You might be surprised to know that onion and garlic belong to the Lily family, which is why they are cousin sisters. They both have the same property and consist of sulfur.
Tiny cells rupture whenever you slice or crush garlic, which releases potent, pungent aromatic compounds.
However, the garlic releases or spreads the chemical via direct contact simultaneously; the onion spreads the enzyme into the air, creating intense irritation in the eyes.
Also read: Lemon Tree Growth Stages
Scientific Classification of Garlic
Scientifically, garlic is known as Allium Sativum. This is considered a vegetable because it shows similar characteristics to vegetables such as leaves, stems, and bulbs.
Contradiction about Garlic
You must be knowing that garlic is used as a herb or a spice. This is added as a spice into the dishes in minimum quantity.
It helps to enhance the aroma and flavor of the dish. That is the reason it is even considered an herb or spice.
Different Varieties of Garlic
There are two varieties of garlic which are as follows:
1. Hard-Neck Garlic (Allium Sativum var ophioscorodon)
This form of garlic has a hard stem between the mid regions of cloves. It is easy to peel and is thicker than regular garlic cloves.
It grows best in cold regions and during winters. The hardneck garlic also develops scapes and stalks that are edible. It includes:
- Rocambole garlic
- Porcelain garlic
- Purple stripe garlic
However, this variant doesn’t last long. The soft-neck region starts shriveling within six months. They are not easy growing, but many farmers choose hardneck garlic because of its intense flavor and aroma.
Also read: How to Plant and Grow Curry Leaf
2. Soft-Neck Garlic (Allium Sativum var Sativum)
The soft neck garlic is grown in tropical conditions as it cannot tolerate the cold climate. The subspecies of this group are as follows:
- Artichoke garlic
- Creole garlic
- Silverskin garlic
Soft neck garlic can last longer if stored properly. This is why it is trendy amongst the farmers. Moreover, this form of garlic can be used in powder form.
These are some of the varieties of garlic and sub-species that you can even grow in your home garden? Thinking how it can be done?
Read our article featuring the step-wise guide on how to grow garlic plants easily.
Benefits of Garlic
Garlic has an intense flavor, which is why it is used to increase the taste of the dishes. Since ancient times, it has been used for cooking purposes.
It has an allicin compound and a sulfur compound which is why it is beneficial for us in so many ways.
- Garlic helps in reducing cholesterol.
- It helps to lower the risk of blood clotting.
- Allicin in garlic act as an antimicrobial agent which helps to fight against microbes.
- Garlic helps to boost the immune system’s function.
- It is beneficial to lower blood pressure.
- Treat respiratory infections such as cough.
In short, garlic is very useful to include in your cooking habits as it has so many health benefits.
FAQs
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What is Garlic?
Garlic is a bulb that is grown underground. It has green shoots which produce flower stalks which are known as scapes. The headpiece, bulb, and papery skin, altogether make the cloves.
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Benefits of Garlic?
Garlic helps in reducing cholesterol, It helps to lower the risk of blood clotting and Allicin in garlic act as an antimicrobial agent which helps to fight against microbes. Garlic helps to boost the immune system’s function. It is beneficial to lower blood pressure. Treat respiratory infections such as cough.
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Is Garlic a Vegetable?
It’s very clear that garlic is a vegetable but used as spice and herb in dishes to enhance the flavor. Moreover, it also has antimicrobial properties and can help to boost the immune system.
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How to Plant Garlic?
To plant the garlic leaves, you need to clear the soil from unwanted weeds. However, dig out the soil and add manure to the soil before planting the garlic clove.
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How to Grow Garlic?
Garlic is one of the potent vegetables that can be grown easily with any crop. However, its harvesting is slightly trickier; you need to be careful and follow the steps mentioned above.
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What is Garlic Good for?
Garlic has an intense flavor, which is why it is used to increase the taste of the dishes. Since ancient times, it has been used for cooking purposes. It has an allicin compound and a sulfur compound which is why it is beneficial for us in so many ways.
So, What is Garlic?
So, it’s clear that garlic is a vegetable but used as spice and herb in dishes to enhance the flavor. Moreover, it also has antimicrobial properties and can help to boost the immune system.
Garlic has an intense flavor and aroma; that’s why it helped improve the taste of the cuisines and became the favorite ingredient.
So what do you think? What is Garlic? Do you like our article? Would you like to see such informative articles more on our site? Your feedbacks are valuable. Let us know in the comments section below.
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