5 Fascinating Facts You Didn't Know About Garlic

Garlic is one of the most commonly used ingredients in the kitchen, but its story has more depth than culinary. This unassuming root vegetable has additionally had a colourful historical past, together with folklore, some stunning scientific advantages, and distinctive properties that make it one of the most compelling plants on the planet.

5 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know About Garlic

1. It Was Used As An Ancient Performance Enhancer

Garlic was the performance enhancer of choice for ancient civilisations. The ancient Greeks fed it to their Olympic athletes to boost stamina, and the Romans used it to give their soldiers courage and strength. 

2. Garlic Is A Natural Pest Repellent

The strong sulfur compounds in garlic are a natural repellent for insects like mosquitoes, aphids, and cabbage loopers. Many gardeners plant garlic cloves around their vegetable patches to protect crops without using chemical pesticides. 

3. The 'Garlic Breath' Culprit Is A Sulfur Compound

The odour associated with eating garlic isn't just in your mouth. The strong smell is caused by allicin, a sulfur-based compound released when garlic is crushed, chopped, or chewed. This compound is metabolised and absorbed into your bloodstream, causing the odour on your breath and skin. 

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4. It's A Member Of The Lily Family

Garlic is not a vegetable in the traditional sense. It's a member of the Amaryllidaceae family, making it a close relative of lilies, onions, leeks, and chives. This family is known for its beautiful flowering plants.

5. Garlic Was Used As A Currency

In ancient Egypt, garlic was so highly valued that it was used as a form of currency. The pyramid builders were not only fed garlic to keep them healthy and strong, but they were also paid in it. A worker's ration of garlic was considered a fair wage.

Image credits: Freepik

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