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- What is garlic?
Garlic is a bulbous plant of the genus allium, which includes leeks,
shallots and onions. The most commonly used garlic is allium sativum.
- What's the difference between a bulb and a clove of garlic?
Garlic is sold in bulbs (or "heads"). The picture at the top of this
page shows a single bulb. Each bulb can contain up to twenty individual cloves.
- How do I store garlic?
In a cool place, away from direct sunlight and with good air circulation,
ideally in a specially made garlic keeper.
- How do I prepare garlic?
Almost any way you want! Garlic can be roasted whole, sliced, chopped,
crushed or even eaten raw. Most recipes call for crushed garlic.
If you are short of time you can use prepared minced garlic
and/or one of the many garlic gadgets available.
- Which method of preparing garlic gives the strongest taste?
Raw crushed garlic. Delicious when used sparingly in salads, on a cooked pizza
or in a sandwich. In general the smaller the cut and the less the cooking, the
stronger the taste.
- Which method of preparing garlic gives most health benefits?
See the answer above! The most powerful medicinal compound obtained from
garlic is allicin. This is released when
garlic is crushed and is broken down when the garlic is cooked.
- Are there dangers associated with garlic?
Yes. As with anything strong, it can cause problems. It can also cause botulism if
incorrectly stored. See the warnings page.
- Can I freeze garlic?
Yes, but I don't recommend it. See the frozen garlic page.
- Why are vampires afraid of garlic?
The most likely theory is the association between vampirism and
mosquito bites - see the pages on vampires
and on garlic as a mosquito repellent.
- How do I avoid "garlic breath"?
You can't, however chewing parsley can help. For more information see our
garlic breath page.
- What is "elephant garlic"?
Despite it's appealing size, elephant garlic doesn't have a very
strong flavour and is no substitute for ordinary garlic. See the
elephant garlic page for more details.
- Why is garlic called "the Stinking Rose"?
Good question, no-one's really sure. See the
Stinking Rose page for some ideas.
- Can I grow my own garlic?
Definitely! Many people around the world do just that. See the growing
garlic page.
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