Garlic
Hindi Name: Lahson
Botanical name
Allium sativum
Family name
Liliaceae
Commercial part
Bulb
Originated in central Asia, garlic is today one of the famous spice of
the world and after being cultivated all over the world it met
enthusiastic approval. Garlic finds its mention in the Bible and in the
ancient Egyptian times when they were fed to the pyramid builders daily
and as food for the Hebrews during their sojourn in Egypt. Even the
Roman period had garlic as a common spice and it was extensively used
from India to East Asia even before the Europeans arrived there. After
the Age of Exploration, garlic spread rapidly to Africa and both
Americas.
Garlic is a hardy bulbous annual, with narrow flat leaves a pungent and
acid flavor and acknowledged medicinal value. The entire bulb ('cloves')
is without odor but once cut or bruised, they produce an intensely
strong odor.
In parts of Austria, salads are prepared with vinegar, oil and minced
garlic. In the Mediterranean sauces raw garlic has wide usage. In
Greece, Greek skordaliá, a paste made from cooked potatoes and
raw garlic whereas in Turkey, Turkish çaçik sauce is made
from plain yogurt, shredded cucumber, peppermint and garlic. In Vietnam
garlic is served with almost all preparations. Garlic is taken as
pickles and as important ingredient vinegar. Herbal vinegar is commonly
made with one or two garlic cloves per liter vinegar. Usage of fried or
cooked garlic is, however, much more common. Garlic is used in
vegetable, meat and poultry dishes, especially in casserole, stew and
marinade. Garlic oil finds use in readymade spice - mixes,
pharmaceuticals and disinfectants.
It is believed that garlic is used for keeping away vampires and has
its mention in the famous novel of Count Dracula.
Garlic is cultivated in India in the states of Poona, Nasik, Madurai
and Jamnagar. Besides garlic powder and dehydrated flakes, India also
exports oil and oleoresin with all constituents intact but without its
pungent odor.
| Name in International
Languages |
| Spanish: |
Ajo |
| French: |
Ail |
| German: |
Knoblanch |
| Swedish: |
Vitlok |
| Arabic: |
Thum |
| Dutch: |
Knoflook |
| Italian: |
Agilio |
| Portuguese: |
Alho |
| Russian: |
Chesnok |
| Japanese: |
Ninniku |
| Chinese: |
Suan |
|
