Garlic is a mandatory ingredient for most of Guyanese cooking and preparation of dishes. Whenever you find onion, you can be sure that to find garlic, as they are inseparable seasonings. Allium sativum is the scientific name for garlic, one of the oldest known seasoning in the world. Since ancient times, garlic has been used as a flavouring and traditional medicine. For cooking, we use the cloves of garlic which are the fleshy portions of the bulb. For the Guyanese dish called Garlic Pork, garlic is one of the main ingredients. Apart from cooking, this vegetable is known for being used to prevent diseases due to garlic having high antibacterial properties and improves health many ways including the treatment of colds, flu, and even cancer.
Garlic – Image Source: https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/2874/garlic-ingredient-sharp-spice-vegetables-clove-of-garlic-frisch-cook-aromatic
Origin
Garlic is originated in Central Asia and Northeastern Iran but is now grown across the globe. Some countries that produce garlic are China, Brazil, India, Greece, South Korea, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Russia and Haiti. Guyana also produces a small amount of garlic.
Interesting Tip
- The word garlic is the Old English garlēac, for which ‘gar’ means spear and leek.
- China produces about eighty (80) percent of the world’s supply of garlic.
- According to some superstitions, garlic is used to keep away vampires.
- The reason why our eyes water when we chop garlic is because it contains an enzyme that is released when it is sliced.
Scientific Classification Of Garlic
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Monocots
- Order: Asparagales
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Subfamily: Allioideae
- Genus: Allium
- Species: A. sativum
Description Of Garlic
Garlic or Allium sativa is a perennial plant, with a bulb that grows underground. The long, flat leaves are similar to grass and grow above ground. There is a papery hood around the flowers. The greenish-white or pink flowers are found grouped together at the end of a long stalk. The stalk rises directly from the flower bulb, which is the part of the plant used as food and medicine. The bulb is made up of many smaller bulbs covered with a papery skin known as cloves. Although garlic is known as the “stinking rose” it is actually a member of the lily family.
Nutrition Facts Of Garlic
One medium clove of garlic contains 4.5 Calories, 1g of Carbohydrates, 0.5mg of Sodium, 0.1g of Fiber and 0.2g of Protein. A few vitamins and minerals are contained in garlic, however, a single clove does provide a small amount of vitamin C and manganese. Garlic has no Fats, Protein or Sugar.
Health Benefits Of Garlic
Garlic – Image Source: https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/1273373/garlic-garlic-elephant-garlic-white-purple-garlic-black-garlic-garlic-grown-power-vegetable-vegetable-garden
- Reducing Hypertension – An aged extract of garlic can lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals and it helps to regulate blood pressure.
- Purifies blood – Garlic can clean your system and flush out toxins.
- Lowers the risk of Lung Cancer – Eating garlic at least twice a week, can reduce your risk of getting lung cancer.
- Brain cancer – The organo-sulfur compounds found in garlic are effective in destroying glioblastomas cells, a brain cancer tumour.
- A Powerful Antibiotic – There is a compound in garlic called Diallyl sulfide that is very effective
- Cold and Flu relief – If you take two to three (2-3) cloves of raw or cooked garlic a day or drink some garlic tea with added honey or ginger, it will help to relieve a stuffed nose and cure a cold and will build your immunity against them.
- For Healthy Hair and Skin – An extract of crushed garlic can be massaged into the scalp can prevent and even reverses any symptoms of hair loss. Garlic slows down the reduction of collagen, that gives your skin less elasticity. When applied fungal infection, garlic performs wonders and even give relief for skin diseases.
- Antioxidants – Allicin, found in garlic, is believed to be one of the world’s most powerful antioxidant. Other antioxidants support the body’s mechanisms against various types of damage like oxidative.
Interesting Tip
- In ancient cultures, garlic was traditionally used to enhance the work capacity of labourers and reduce fatigue.
Culinary Uses Of Garlic
- Garlic is typically used as a seasoning to flavour foods including curries, meats, soups, and stews, salad dressings, vinaigrettes, marinades, various sauces and vegetables. Many parts of the plant can be used to cook but parts of the bulbs called cloves are usually used.
- Garlic can be mixed egg yolk, olive oil, almond, bread etc. to make different sauces and soups.
- Garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic.
- In some traditional dishes, the young garlic bulbs are pickled for three to six weeks in mixtures of sugar, salt, and spices.
Traditional Uses Of Garlic
- Acne – For breakouts, a sliced clove of garlic can be applied. Due to its antibacterial properties, acne can be treated.
- Glass Repairs – Garlic juice is a natural adhesive and can hold together tiny cracks.
- Treats Athlete’s foot – Garlic is a powerful natural antifungal, which makes it ideal for treating fungal infections like itchy athlete’s foot and other infections.
- Splinter removal – To remove a difficult splinter, put a thin slice of garlic over the area and splinter and it could be out of the skin within hours.
- Promotes intestinal health – Consuming garlic on a regular basis helps to maintain intestinal health. This is because garlic kills harmful intestinal bacteria and promotes the growth of beneficial flora, which in turn makes digestion much smoother.
- Bait – The strong smell of garlic attracts various fish species like catfish, carp, trout, bass and other species.
About Garlic
Garlic is an essential part of any Guyanese dish. It is typically used with onions, celery and other seasons to add to curries. Not only that, Garlic has numerous health benefits including preventing acne, aiding in digestion and in the removal of splinters. Add garlic to you next dish to benefit from its many qualities.
Read one of our articles on how to make the tasty Guyanese Garlic Pork – https://www.thingsguyana.com/garlic-pork-a-flavorful-and-appetizing-dish-made-in-guyana/
Article References
- http://www.vegetablefacts.net/vegetable-history/history-of-garlic/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic
- https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_garlic_production
- https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-top-garlic-producing-countries-in-the-world.html
- https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/powerhouse-of-medicine-and-flavour-surprising-health-benefits-of-garlic-1200468
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-garlic#section6
- https://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t–1263/all-about-garlic.asp
- http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-garlic/
- http://pguims-random-science.blogspot.com/2011/08/culinary-uses-of-garlic.html
