is garlic a vegetable? 2024

Is garlic a vegetable? Garlic has a very intense, strong, and unique flavor and aroma that makes it a very important ingredient in a mainstay of cuisines all around the world including Asia Africa, Latin America North, America, Europe, China, and India.

Garlic has an abundance of health benefits which is why it is incorporated in raw form into various recipes and also mixed with onion to make a thick paste and used in various savory dishes.

Many people consider garlic to be a spice or a herb as it is used in small portions in various dishes to add unique flavor and taste while many people think it’s a vegetable since it is available in the local vegetable vendor.

In this article, we will be discussing in detail everything about garlic and will also be giving you the answer to whether it is a spice hub or a vegetable.

What is garlic?

Garlic is a species of the onion family ( Liliaceae ). Its scientific name is Allium sativum. Its close relatives include the onion, the shallot, and the green onion. Garlic has been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes since antiquity. It has a characteristic odor and a pungent taste, which changes to mild on cooking.

The garlic bulb(clove or clef) is the most commonly used part of its plant. Putih garlic is seeded, consumed (raw or cooked), and used for medicinal purposes. Its leaves, stems, and flowers are also consumed, usually when they are immature and tender. Its papery protective layer (the rind) which is attached to its various parts and knotted roots is the only inedible part.

Garlic is produced the most in China followed by India.

Apart from this, vitamins A, B, C, and sulfuric acid are found in special quantities.

Garlic is a perennial crop that originally came from Central Asia and is now cultivated all over the world. Apart from meeting domestic needs, India exports 17,852 metric tonnes (worth Rs 3877 lakhs). The production of garlic in India has increased from 2.16 to 8.34 lakh tonnes in the last 25 years.

How is the garlic cultivated?

land –

Loamy soil is considered very suitable for garlic. It can be cultivated in sandy loam to clay soil. The soil which has a good amount of organic matter as well as a good drainage system is considered best for this crop. Its tubers do not develop properly in sandy or loose land, due to which low yield is possible.

Manures and Fertilizers –

Garlic needs a lot of manure and fertilizers. Therefore, for this, it is considered appropriate to use any manure and fertilizer after getting the soil thoroughly tested.

Right sowing time –

The right time of sowing depends on its area, place, and soil. In the plains of northern India, the months of October-November are suitable, while in the hilly areas, it is appropriate to sow it in the months of March and April.

Now that we have a brief idea about the history of garlic, how it originated, its cultivation process, and everything else, we will further move towards other aspects of this article that mainly focus on whether garlic is a vegetable herb or a spice.

What does the research say about garlic?

According to research by the US Department of Agriculture, the use of garlic is about 5000 years old. There is evidence in history that the people of Babylonia used it 4500 years ago.

According to a 2007 United Nations report, China has the largest cultivation of garlic. China accounts for 66 percent of the total production of garlic.

South Africa and India are second and third in the cultivation of garlic. You will be surprised to know that America is ranked fourth.

Frankly speaking, garlic is considered to be a root vegetable belonging to the onion family which is why it is not wrong to call garlic A spice as it is a flavoring agent to the food but definitely it cannot be considered a herb.

The garlic bulb which is at the roots usually consists of 10 to 20 clothes that are packed together in a covering which is typically removed before its consumption and the edible part within this paper is skin is pale yellowish in color.

What are the experts saying?

According to various Scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, garlic is basically a vegetable but it is also used as a spice. It is processed and used more as a spice.

According to them, “There should not be any dispute about the sale of garlic because it has always been sold in the vegetable market. It is not sold in the grain market. It is always eaten as a vegetable with vegetables. Whether you make its chutney (dip)or add it to other vegetables. It is cultivated only as a vegetable.”

Garlic growing under the ground is generally sown in the month of October-November and uprooted in the month of April. Garlic is a vegetable of onion species. Both work wonders when used as a flavoring agent for dishes.

They are kept in the category of bulb i.e. the flowers of onion, garlic, and tulip belong to the same species.

Talking about its properties, it contains many nutrients. It is needed in very small amounts in the body, but if there is a deficiency of those elements in the body, serious diseases can occur.

Is garlic a vegetable?

Talking about the botanical aspect, garlic is considered to be a vegetable as it belongs to the onion family.

Since vegetable is not consumed in large amounts and only it is used for their unique flavor some people consider them spice but all of their parts including the long leaves roots etc are edible it is considered a vegetable.

Is garlic a spice?

Spice is anything that is used to season or flavor foods such as paper or nutmeg.

Garlic when dried powdered and stored for long amounts of time can be used as a flavoring agent for various cuisines which can qualify it to be known as a spice.

Is garlic a herb?

Hope is a plant or any part of the plant valued for its aromatic Savory or medicinal qualities.

Herbs are the leaves of the plant while on the other hand spices come from the roots seeds or bark.

Garlic is famous for having various medicinal properties and is beneficial for people who eat it regularly in small amounts since it is a root vegetable it cannot be considered a herb.

Properties of garlic –

Garlic has antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal properties. In fact, the chemical allicin found in garlic is a powerful antibiotic. It has properties like penicillin. Garlic is very effective in curing seasonal fever.

Contents of sulfur are high in garlic. When we chew it, this sulfur gets mixed with the blood and our windpipe, lungs, and mouth.

After brushing, this smell goes away from the mouth, but if you sweat then it will also smell of garlic.

According to many Dieticians, if other food is eaten along with garlic, then its smell reduces. For example, if basil, mint, celery, and lettuce are included in the food along with garlic, then the smell is reduced.

Garlic is a natural blood thinner (due to its antiplatelet properties) i.e. blood thinner, garlic is very beneficial for people who have problems with cholesterol or blockage in the arteries of the heart.

Garlic is used as a health and food supplement in many countries of the world. Smell-free garlic tablets are also available for those who do not like the smell of garlic.

Garlic is also very effective in curing diseases like cough and cold.

But it would be best if you include garlic in your food in some form or the other, be it chutney or pickle or garlic bread like Italian people.

In Romania, it has been believed for centuries that if you have any kind of problem at home, then keep garlic in your house and all your problems will go away.

People here make garlands of garlic and hang them on the doors and windows of the house so that they can be protected from evil spirits.

Types of garlic?

There are basically two types of garlic: the head-neck garlic and the soft-neck garlic.

The neck garlic also known as A sativum var ophioscorodon is usually called by this name because of its hard Central stem which is in the middle of the cloves.

However, this type of garlic is renowned for being easier to peel off. This garlic is grown in colder climates and is accustomed to winter weather.

Soft neck garlic –

The soft neck garlic might not last as long as its neck counterparts as it starts Deteriorating within 4 to 6 months regardless of its storage conditions.

This type of garlic might be difficult to grow but they give a good flavor to various cuisines. These are also rarely found in grocery stores.

Types of soft neck garlic-

Artichoke garlic
Silverskin garlic
Creole garlic

Types of hard-neck garlic-

Porcelain garlic
Rocambole garlic
Purple stripe garlic

Benefits of garlic-

Garlic has multiple health benefits to offer. Some of these benefits include –

If you are from a typical Indian household you must know the various health benefits that garlic gives you. According to a study it was found that two pounds of garlic are consumed every year by an average person.

Garlic is excellent for boosting your immune system – immunity plays a major role in preventing you from diseases or getting sick. If your immune system is strong you can fight illness which is why it is said that garlic helps fight against illness and prevents flu and cold viruses.

Garlic helps in reducing problems of high blood pressure- heart attacks are a common health concern and having high blood pressure is known to be a risk factor for any heart disease.

If you have problems with hypertension or high blood pressure, garlic can be an amazing ingredient for your health as it helps in lowering your high blood pressure levels and also helps treat fever. Just make sure to keep in mind that you should consume a maximum of 4 cloves of garlic each day as overconsumption can have its after effects.

Contains antibacterial properties – An antibiotic called allicin is present in garlic which fights bacterial infection and prevents viral infections. Consumption of garlic also helps prevent cancer and reduces cholesterol levels. Garlic helps lower 10 to 15% of LDL levels and influences good cholesterol levels.

Garlic helps in improving athletic performance – Garlic helps immensely to improve your athletic performance it was also used in the olden days to boost endurance many Greek Olympics have tested this and given feedback that It helped them boost their performance level.

The main factor that keeps you fit is a healthy heart and healthy body so if garlic plays a major role in minimizing problems like cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure levels reducing illness, and boosting immunity it will obviously boost your athletic performance and endurance.

Helps with the detoxification of your body – detoxification is all about getting rid of toxins that don’t belong in your body and hence it is an extremely important part of having good health garlic has many properties that help in the detoxification of the body.

There are many reasons that contribute to toxins in your body these include chemicals used in agriculture and pesticides, unhealthy food items, personal health care products that contain chemicals, etc.

Since garlic works as a powerful detox it also helps promote glutathione which is important for detoxifying and it also has bioactive selenium as well as sulphur compounds.

Disadvantages of Eating Garlic –

Garlic is one such ingredient present in the kitchen which is most commonly used for tempering. It works to enhance the taste and aroma of any food.

Garlic is known to be full of medicinal properties. Garlic has properties like an antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, manganese, potassium, iron, calcium, and vitamins, which can help protect our body from many problems. But do you know that there are some disadvantages to eating garlic too?

Excessive consumption of garlic can harm the body instead of benefiting it.

Let’s know the demerits of consuming garlic (if consumed in excessive quantities) –

The problem of acidity causes abdominal pain, flatulence, and gas formation. And in such a situation, consuming garlic can increase this problem further. Consumption of garlic can be harmful to the problem of acidity.
If someone has a complaint of bad breath, then they should not use garlic. Because eating garlic can increase the smell of the mouth.
If you have a headache problem, then do not consume garlic in excess. Consuming raw garlic in excess can cause headaches.

Conclusion-

Garlic is an amazing ingredient to consume on a regular basis. However, it must be consumed in the right proportions. An excess of anything can have adverse effects on the body.

Also, now if you get confused about the properties of garlic as a herb, spice, or vegetable. You can go through this article once again.

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is garlic a vegetable?