I like produce. I like to grow it. I like to eat it. I like to create recipes with it. I’m also kind of a nerd and like to get to know my produce. I like learning new or fun tidbits of info about the produce I’m growing/eating/baking. If you’re a weirdo like me then buckle up for this new series as I dive into a plethora of produce facts and share them with you. Here we go:
1. Garlic gets its pungent flavor from a chemical reaction that occurs when the garlic cells are broken. The flavor is most intense just after mincing.
2. Garlic is a staple in most kitchens. It’s one of the most utilized recipe ingredients since it is found in almost all types of cuisine, like African, Asian, European, Traditional American and Latin American. There’s no such thing as too much garlic in a dish I say!
3. In ancient Greece, brides carried bouquets of herbs and garlic, not flowers. I guess it would say you a ton on flower costs!
4. China grows a over 2/3rds of the world’s garlic—somewhere around 46 billion pounds per year! Holy garlic breath!!
5. There is an actual, on the books fear of garlic. The psychological term for someone with a fear of garlic is Alliumphobiac. Anyone suffer from Alliumphobia?
6. Garlic is said to fight off evil spirits, and keep vampires away. It is mentioned 21 times in Bram Stoker’s Dracula
7. The Windy City? Nope. The city of Chicago is named after garlic. “Chicagaoua” was the Indian word for wild garlic.
8. During World War I, garlic was used extensively by British soldier’s wounds because it was thought to heal them faster. It actually works and is still often used today in many 3rd world countries.
9. You can use garlic to make glue. Who knew? The sticky juice that’s in garlic cloves is often used as an adhesive, especially for fragile items like glass.
10. If your rose garden is being attacked by aphids, an excellent home remedy to get rid of them is to spritz the leaves and blooms with a mixture of crushed garlic and water.
Had you heard any of those fun facts before? Do you have any of your own to add? Is there a particular produce item you want to know more about? I take requests!
Grow on,
Mavis
Never planted garlic before? See my How to Plant Garlic Tutorial or Pin it for Later.
Kayla says
I think you would like the Netflix Documentary series “Rotten.” Episode 3 is all about Garlic. Very interesting. I am loving this blog series. I vote carrots next please.
Jamie says
I watched that episode of “Rotten” too and high recommend it!
Susan says
There is also a town in AZ named Ajo which is Spanish for garlic.
Ann says
And Gilroy, CA bills itself as “The Garlic Capital of the World.”
tina says
I feed it daily to my Labs to repel fleas/ticks and mosquitoes, it’s much better for them than the pesticies found in commercial topicals. 🙂
Practical Parsimony says
I only buy garlic grown in Gilroy, CA. Chinese farmers use fresh “night soil” On produce. Humanure is safe only after two years.
I put garlic, cayenne, and onion in a blender. After I strain it, i dilute it and I add Dawn and cooking oil and spray my produce with it. Nothing bothers my produce.
Rebecca in MD says
Thanks so much for this tip Practical Parsimony – – – I am going to try it to repel deer!
Nancy says
I planted my garlic yesterday. 132 cloves! Yes, I counted them 🙂 Have to see my rate of germination and actual total grown next summer. And, yes, I give lots away!
Mel says
We’re planting ours this weekend! We plant about the same amount and give lots away, but we use a bunch too. I recommend freezing it minced in mini ice cube trays or as garlic butter if you ever need to extend the storage life.
I’m trying scallions this year, too–I had no idea they grow in much the same way as garlic where one “clove” forms a bunch.
Rebecca in MD says
I received my organic garlic bulbs the other day. The growing instructions say to wait to plant until “after the first light frost.” That might not come here in MD until early November.
kWa says
There is a garlic restaurant in Old Town Tallinn, Estonia called Balthasar. Garlic is in every item – even ice cream.
Rebecca in MD says
I love this series on produce fun facts, and I am learning so much! Do you have an index to all of them?
Mavis Butterfield says
No, nut I’ll try to add it next time {and go back and add a link to them all}. I need to clone myself.
Zoe Campos says
I totally agree with how garlic can be considered a staple ingredient in many kitchens. I’ve visited a lot of my friends’ houses and almost all of them use it every day. Now that I’m trying to cook my own meals, I guess I should start buying some garlic seasoning in 29 oz.