Garlic - What is it? Properties - Benefits - Uses

Ajo - imagen en pexels de jievani - quearepas.com
Garlic and its benefits
Índice
  1. What is Garlic?
  2. Properties
  3. Uses in the kitchen
  4. How to consume to obtain its benefits?
  5. Types of garlic
  6. A bit of history
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
    1. How to peel garlic easily?
    2. Is there any way to reduce the strong garlic flavor in recipes?
    3. How can fresh garlic be preserved for a longer time?
    4. How can you prevent your hands from smelling of garlic after chopping?
    5. Are there varieties of garlic in Venezuelan cuisine?
    6. Can another ingredient be substituted for garlic?

What is Garlic?

Garlic is a plant of the allium family, to which onions and leeks also belong. It is native to Central Asia, but is now cultivated all over the world, including the United States.

It is a spice that has been used for thousands of years. It has many benefits and can be used in many ways. It is a plant that has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, from the common cold to ulcers. There are many different types of garlic, and each has its own properties.

Properties

Among its main properties are its ability to fight bacteria, stimulate the immune system and reduce blood pressure.

The main properties of garlic are antibacterial and antioxidant. It is also known to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which may help prevent heart disease. Common uses include treating colds and flus, preventing cancer, preventing heart disease, lowering cholesterol levels and preventing blood clots.

  • It is known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, which can help fight infections and strengthen the immune system.
  • It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help control pain.
  • It is rich in vitamins A, B6, C, K and manganese.
  • It contains antioxidants that help protect against free radicals and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
  • Contains compounds called allicin that have been shown to prevent blood clots by thinning the blood.

Uses in the kitchen

It is a pungent and flavorful herb that can be used to enhance the flavor of many types of foods.

Garlic is one of the most popular ingredients in cooking. It is a staple food in many cultures, and is often used as an ingredient in foods that are considered staples, such as pasta sauce, soups and stews. Comes in many forms: fresh garlic cloves, dehydrated garlic powder, minced garlic in oil or in dried form (as granules), or even already minced garlic.

Garlic in the kitchen - photo pexels ravi sharma
Garlic in the kitchen

It can be consumed raw or cooked in many different ways:

It is a very versatile ingredient that has been used in cooking and medicine for thousands of years. It is easy to incorporate into your diet and, if used correctly, can have a wide range of benefits.

It contains allicin, which has been shown to help prevent heart disease and cancer. It can also help lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and fight colds and other illnesses.

How to consume to obtain its benefits?

Garlic can be consumed in many ways: raw or cooked, or as a supplement in the form of pills. Garlic also comes in various forms: powder, dried cloves, fresh bulbs and even juice.

It can be added to almost any dish and is a great way to add depth of flavor without adding excessive amounts of fat or calories.

You can use fresh or dried garlic. You can also buy it pickled or canned, in oil or water; they are great for flavoring recipes without having to cook with raw garlic.

To take full advantage of the many health benefits, it is important to consume it in the right way. Here are some tips on how to consume it:

  • Raw: raw is usually best for medicinal purposes; it contains more allicin than cooked or roasted garlic. It can be eaten raw on its own or included in dishes such as salad dressings or pesto sauce.
  • Cooked: cooked it is ideal for seasoning sauces or soups, but be sure not to overcook it so that it does not lose its flavor.
  • Roasted: Roasted is delicious spread on bread or added to recipes such as soups or stews.

It may also have other positive health effects. For example, some studies suggest that it has anti-cancer properties. However, more research is needed in the scientific world to verify these findings.

It is available in many forms: fresh or dried bulbs; powders; capsules; tablets; oil; and juice (in which case it should be refrigerated after opening). It can be consumed raw or cooked in dishes such as spaghetti sauce or meatloaf.

Fresh garlic has a milder flavor than dried garlic, so if you are cooking with garlic for the first time, we recommend that you start with fresh before switching to dried. If you use both fresh and dried garlic in a recipe, do not use more than 1 clove per person at a time, the stronger flavor may be too strong!

Types of garlic

It belongs to the onion family and is used as a spice, herb and vegetable. It has been used for thousands of years in cooking and medicine.

There are several types of this spice:

  • Artichoke (Allium Sativum Var. Giganteum)
  • Creole (Allium Sativum Var. Ophioscorodon)
  • Red Inchelium (Allium Sativum Var. Glaucum)
  • Silver skin (Allium Sativum Var. Ophioscorodon)
  • Rocambola (Allium Sativum Var. Scorodoprasum).

A bit of history

It is native to Asia and has been cultivated since at least 600 BC. In ancient Rome, garlic was considered an aphrodisiac. Romans planted the bulbs around their houses to ward off evil spirits. Garlic was also used as a weapon; in the Middle Ages, people rubbed it on door jambs to ward off vampires.

The word "garlic" comes from French and Latin and means "spear". The plant is related to leeks and onions and has long been used as an ingredient in cuisine throughout Europe and Asia. In the United States, it is grown primarily in California, New Mexico, Michigan, Washington, Oregon and Texas.

It has long been believed to have healing properties: it has been used to treat colds and coughs, has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels in some people who take it regularly in their diet (this may not apply to everyone), and has even found some success as an antifungal agent against Candida albicans.

Today, it is one of the most widely used spices in the world; it is estimated that 90% of Americans consume garlic daily, often without knowing it.

You can continue to see Venezuelan arepas, Colombian arepas or go to arepas recipes in quearepas

Frequently Asked Questions

How to peel garlic easily?

For easy peeling, you can crush the garlic clove a little with the blade of a knife or the palm of your hand and then remove the skin. You can also soak the cloves in hot water for a few minutes to soften the skin and make it easier to peel.

Is there any way to reduce the strong garlic flavor in recipes?

If you do not like the strong flavor or if you want to reduce its intensity in a recipe, you can peel and cut the garlic into large pieces and brown them in oil before adding them to the dish. This mellows the flavor and gives a milder, sweeter taste to the garlic.

How can fresh garlic be preserved for a longer time?

It can be stored in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard. It can also be kept in the refrigerator, but it is important not to store it near other foods, as its strong odor may affect its flavor.

How can you prevent your hands from smelling of garlic after chopping?

To prevent your hands from smelling like garlic after chopping, you can rub your hands with salt and then rinse with soap and water. You can also rub your hands with a tablespoon of baking soda and then rinse.

Are there varieties of garlic in Venezuelan cuisine?

Yes, several varieties are used in Venezuelan cuisine, including white garlic, purple garlic and black garlic. Each variety has a slightly different flavor and is used in different recipes.

Can another ingredient be substituted for garlic?

Yes, if you don't like its taste or if you want to avoid it for health reasons, other ingredients can be used to flavor your dishes. Some options include onion, leek, shallot, ginger or fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley.

If you want to know other articles similar to Garlic - What is it? Properties - Benefits - Uses you can visit the category ingredients.

Go up