Garlic – A World Traveler

Garlic is species of plant that many might not know is in the onion family. Garlic has been used by many cultures of people around the world. Some have used it in culinary applications, while other cultures have used garlic for medicinal purposes. One thing is true about garlic; it is a well-known ingredient that has been used by many of the cultures around the planet.

The bulb of the garlic plant is the most commonly used part in cooking. The bulb of the plant is dived up into sections called cloves. Many of us in the United States do not know that the leaves, stems and the flower can also be consumed. The only two parts of the garlic plant that is not eaten is the papery protective layers that surround the bulb and the roots of the plant.

Garlic is grown around the world. The top producer in the world of garlic is the country of China, but is grown by many different countries including the United States. Garlic is grown in every state of the U.S. except for the state of Alaska because of the climate. The state of California touts itself as producing the most garlic in the United States.

This pungent bulb has been used throughout history, it is even mentioned in the Bible. We also know that the Greeks and Romans were huge fans of garlic by many of the recipes that include this flavorful bulb. Garlic was a staple in many dishes in ancient times. Not only was it consumed by the higher classed citizens in ancient Rome and Greece it was also eaten by many of the lower classes.

Many of us love the taste of garlic in many dishes, especially in Italian and Sicilian cuisine. But one thing that we all have in common after consuming garlic laden dishes is halitosis. This is commonly known as bad breath. This pungent bulb has been the cause of many dinner dates ending in a handshake instead of a good night kiss over the centuries.

Leaving this wonderful, flavor filled bulb out of any part of Sicilian or Italian cuisine would be considered a sin to many in the culinary world. Just the thought of leaving it out of a tomato sauce would send many gastronomes into heart failure. Garlic has become one of those staple ingredients that define many of the dishes in Sicilian and Italian cooking.

Not matter if garlic is cooked or eaten raw, it has become a common ingredient in many types of cuisine throughout the world. With its pungent distinct smell and wonderful flavor it has inflicted halitosis around the world. So next time on a romantic date with a sweetheart eating a garlic laden tomato sauce, remember to bring some mints.