Garlic is History and use of garlic

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Garlic is a product that has been used for a long time not only as an aromatic additive to dishes, but also as a medicine. The first to discover the unusual properties of this plant were primitive farmers. They noticed that sprouted garlic bulbs saved neighboring plants from fungal diseases and pests. Since then, garlic has been attributed magical properties, deified and used as a cure for all diseases.

History of garlic

It is known that only five thousand years ago people began to grow garlic on an industrial scale, cultivated it. But they paid attention to him even earlier. The plant has been seen since the Stone Age. Garlic is native to Southeast Asia. The plant was first discovered between the Altai Mountains and the high ridges of the Eastern Tien Shan.

Worshiped garlic, not only primitive people. The plant was especially valued during the reign of the Egyptian pharaohs. Garlic is a product that is eaten daily. It is known that decrees were even issued ordering slaves to be given a few cloves of garlic every day in order to raise morale.and make the pyramid builders physically stronger. There have been cases where the lack of a fragrant product has even led to uprisings and riots.

The oldest medicine

History, which does not stand still, has long proved that garlic was used as food and medicine by all civilizations known to the world. Numerous myths and legends that have come down to our times testify that for an ancient person, garlic is a gift from God, a panacea for all diseases, a real treasure.

However, history still cannot draw a clear line when garlic from an unofficial drug became the official “pills” for many diseases. It is known that once the peasants of Ancient China healed the emperor and his retinue with the help of garlic. Since then, in this country, garlic has been used by already recognized healers and healers.

Smell is no barrier to treatment

Unlike modern people, ancient civilizations were not at all afraid of the fragrant and bright smell of garlic. The plant was very loved in Mesopotamia. From ancient India, many manuscripts have come down to us, which list numerous diseases that garlic cured. Even Homer, in his Odyssey, repeatedly mentioned the plant that helped Odysseus escape from Circe.

Olympic athletes actively ate garlic, believing that it is this remedy that helps to win and gives strength. Hippocrates argued that it was the pungent and, for many, unpleasant garlic aroma that was of particular value to medicine. Essential oils contained inplant, good for he alth, give strength, strengthen the immune system and tone up.

Composition

In terms of its chemical composition, garlic is as rich in proteins and sugars as onions. The plant also contains calcium and potassium, magnesium and manganese, selenium and phosphorus. It also contains vitamins: C, A, PP, B6 and others.

The strong aroma and bright taste of garlic are given by the phytoncides and essential oils contained in its composition. If you analyze the chemical composition of garlic in even more detail, you can find out that it contains more than 6 g of protein, about 30 g of carbohydrates and 0.5 g of fat. Calories per hundred grams - 147.

Wild Garlic

People very often pass by beautifully growing wild plants, completely unaware that in front of them is a he althy and tasty food product. The same thing happened with wild garlic. A perennial herbaceous plant, which scientists attribute to the onion family, has long attracted the attention of people. But only a few centuries ago, wild garlic, or wild garlic, ceased to be animal food and began to appear in kitchens.

The plant reaches a height of 15 cm. It has wide leaves that go from the very base. In early May, wild garlic begins to bloom very beautifully. Flower petals are bright white or light beige in color. The main habitat of wild garlic is the North Caucasus, Turkey and the European territory. But you can collect or plant and grow wild garlic in Russia. The plant is unpretentious, perfectly tolerates various climatic changes.

What are the benefits of wild garlic

You canto say that wild garlic is a plant that has been used in folk medicine much longer and more successfully than ordinary garlic. It contains a huge amount of useful trace elements and a rich vitamin composition. There are about 140 calories per 100 g.

Especially often wild garlic is used for digestive problems. It helps fight colds, high fever and pneumonia. Frequent use of wild garlic provides reliable protection against stress. It is not recommended to eat wild garlic for people who suffer from migraines. An overdose of the product often causes severe headaches.

How to properly store garlic

People who grow a plant in their own backyards often wonder what are the methods for proper storage of garlic. If you know some secrets and basic storage rules, you can provide yourself with a useful product for the whole winter.

It is important to distinguish winter garlic from summer garlic. In the first case, the plant is planted in the last months of autumn, before the first snowfall. Garlic planted in the spring months is called summer garlic. In both cases, it is very important not to miss the moment of cleaning. By choosing the right day for harvesting garlic (not rainy, moderately sunny), you can already be 50% sure of the subsequent good preservation of the product. Dry garlic will never rot, sprout or crack.

The other 50% depends on good drying. Good weather, no open bakersun, cool and well ventilated area. After five days, it is recommended to remove the roots and stem, leaving only five to seven centimeters. Next, the process of storing garlic proceeds to the final stage. The sticks are collected in bouquets of 5-8 pieces, tied with a thread and hung somewhere in a cool room. Garlic can also be stored in ordinary wicker baskets. Such a container will provide good ventilation and contribute to the long-term storage of garlic.

He alth benefits of garlic

There are more than three hundred types of garlic in the world that a person can and eats. Each country has its own plant variety, but they are all equally beneficial to human he alth. What does garlic help with and what ailments can be identified with it?

The most famous effect of garlic is its immunostimulatory effect. The vegetable is good for keeping the immune system in working order. Garlic is an excellent prophylactic against many colds. In addition, good immunity is also a salvation from such a terrible disease as malignant neoplasms.

Garlic is a successful fight against parasites (worms, tapeworms), helps to prevent the harmful effects of salmonella and staphylococci. If, for example, a person wants to try an unknown "suspicious" dish, then experts advise eating a clove of garlic before tasting.

The beneficial effect that this vegetable has on the hematopoietic system has been proven. American scientists have shown thata couple of cloves of garlic a day will help ensure proper uniform blood flow, prevent the formation of blood clots, and therefore avoid early strokes or heart attacks. It may well replace pills that help lower blood pressure. In addition, garlic is an antiseptic. Even in ancient Egypt, it was used to treat ulcers and abscesses.

Garlic and extra pounds

Dietitians around the world unanimously confirm the benefits of garlic for weight loss. The plant is able to reduce the feeling of hunger, reduce violent appetite and normalize the action of hormones that are responsible for the deposition of fat. By regularly eating garlic, you can reduce the amount of fluid in the body and normalize the lymph flow. The substances contained in the plant help fight cholesterol, make fat metabolism in tissues correct.

Nutritionists say you don't have to come up with complex garlic diets. The easiest way to experience the effects of garlic on your weight is to eat a couple of cloves a day with any food or dish.

Use in cooking

The most notorious fans of adding garlic to dishes are the inhabitants of Asia and the Mediterranean. For example, according to statistics, one Chinese has 8-14 cloves per day. Italians consume up to five cloves per day. Most often, garlic can be found in the recipes of Uzbek, Korean, Italian, Armenian and Greek dishes. It makes great duets with meat, tomatoes, herbs, bakery products.

The use of garlic in cooking- It is also the preparation of various sauces. Especially popular is aioli sauce, which mostly consists of garlic. The combination of garlic + olive oil is also great. Grated garlic mixed with olive oil can be simply spread on bread and served. This is a great appetizer for first or second hot courses. In addition, a similar filling can be used to make pies or pies.

Tomatoes with garlic and cheese

Another winning food pairing is garlic and cheese. The two ingredients harmonize so well with each other that they do not need other "partners". Simply by grating cheese, chopping garlic and adding a couple of teaspoons of olive oil, you can make a great pâté.

One of the most delicious and easy to prepare snacks are tomatoes stuffed with garlic-cheese cream.

Required for cooking

• 3-4 large tomatoes.
• Hard cheese - 150g
• 2-3 garlic cloves.
• Mayonnaise.
• S alt.
• Green.

Cooking method

In a separate container, mix: grated cheese, chopped garlic, finely chopped fresh herbs, a pinch of s alt and mayonnaise. Carefully remove the core with seeds from the tomatoes. In the resulting cavity, we put a fragrant cheese mass with a spoon. Top each tomato with a sprig of parsley.

Garlic and pineapples

It would seem how sweet pineapples and vigorous, harsh ontaste of garlic? It turns out they can! With only three ingredients, you can make a great salad that will delight even the most biased gourmets.

Essential Products

• Cheese - 150g
• Canned pineapples – 1 b.
• A head of garlic (6-8 teeth).
• Mayonnaise.

How to cook

Open a jar of pineapple, drain off excess liquid and spread the circles on a paper towel. It is necessary that the excess juice stack. Then cut them into small cubes. Cheese is crushed with a large grater. Garlic is crushed with a knife, peeled. It is recommended to grind each slice into gruel (you can use a garlic crusher or a grater). We mix all the ingredients, season with a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise. Spicy and delicious!

Stuffed with garlic

A surprisingly tasty combination of garlic and cheese is the highlight of many dishes. Often such a tandem is used as a filling for stuffing products. Following the example of a recipe with tomatoes, you can cook a lot of incredibly tasty, mouth-watering and fragrant snacks. By the way, these are quick and very easy treats to prepare, which is important for busy modern housewives.

By mixing chopped garlic with cheese, adding a little greens, spices and mayonnaise, we get a universal dressing. It can be stuffed with boiled chicken eggs, eggplant, zucchini, chicken fillet and even potatoes. Perhaps most of the dishes based on stuffed vegetables contain garlic in their composition.