April is National Garlic Month!
Garlic is a ubiquitous part of Italian cuisine and with good reason. It is a delicious addition to almost every dish or sauce, and it comes with more of its fair share of health benefits. This National Garlic Month, take some time to add garlic to a few new dishes and chow down on these fun garlic facts.
Garlic is a Superhero
While not actually an Avenger, garlic does have so many health benefits that it deserves to be considered a superhero. By cutting into garlic bulbs, thio-Sulfinite compounds in them turn into allicin, which is an amazing compound. Allicin is antibiotic and anti fungal, it is believed to lower bad cholesterol by inhibiting enzyme growth in liver cells, and it helps nitric oxide release in the blood vessels relaxing them and lowering pressure. This improvement in blood pressure can help ease the strain on the heart, making garlic a very heart-healthy choice. Garlic’s antibacterial properties also makes it a great treatment for acne and cold sores. On top of all that, garlic also contains a ton of vitamins and minerals, including manganese, potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, calcium, beta-carotene, and Vitamin C. Superhero!
You Eat 2 lbs Per Year On Average
Obviously, some people eat way more garlic than others, but overall, the average person eats about 2 lbs of garlic each year. That’s actually a lot of garlic! With the average clove weighing about 3 grams, 2 lbs of garlic are over 300 cloves.
2/3 Of All Garlic is Grown in China
Garlic is common in cooking in a wide range of cuisines, from Italian to African and many others, and it is cultivated and grown in nearly every country. As of 2012, however, 2/3 of the garlic grown in the world, nearly 46 billion pounds per year, comes from China. Garlic is originally native to Central Asia, so this makes sense.
There’s More Than The Bulb
When you think of garlic you think of the bulb, but there’s more to the plant than that and it’s edible. Some varieties produce green shoots called scrapes that are reminiscent of a scallion but with a garlicky flavor.
Garlic Can Ward Off Blood Suckers
No, not vampires, though that particular piece of lore likely comes from garlic’s true ability. Garlic is a natural mosquito repellant. What a great reason to eat more this summer!
Garlic Can Make Glue
If you’ve ever cut garlic, you’ve probably noticed the sticky residue the juice leaves on your hands. This actually works quite well as a bonding agent for small and delicate projects, like glass.
LET BASTA PASTA TREAT YOU!
For more than 12 years, Basta Pasta has given Maryland diners delicious Italian food from local and fresh ingredients. Enjoy delicious pasta dishes, unlimited salad and breadsticks, and fine wine at one of our locations in Timonium, Fallston, Perry Hall, or Eldersburg. Contact us online or give us a call at the location-specific phone number listed here. Read our menu and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you don’t feel like going out, order our signature crab cakes online and enjoy delicious Basta Pasta from home!