Garlic is a potent health enhancer, packed with essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. Rich in allicin, it has strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Garlic helps boost the immune system, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol levels, and improves heart health. It may also aid in preventing certain cancers and managing blood sugar levels. Its ability to detoxify heavy metals from the body and support brain health further adds to its benefits. Regular consumption of garlic can contribute to overall well-being, making it a valuable addition to a healthy diet.
However, with the prevalence of counterfeit products in the market, it's essential to know how to distinguish real garlic from fake or low-quality ones. Nutritionist and wellness coach Hardika Narang suggests easy ways to make a difference.
Tips to identify real vs fake garlic:
Appearance:
Real garlic: It has a firm, tight, and intact bulb. The cloves are well-formed, with papery skin that is usually white, off-white, or light purple.
Fake garlic: It may have loose, soft, or mushy bulbs. The cloves might be smaller or irregular in shape, or the skin might peel off too easily.
Smell:
Real garlic: It has a strong, pungent, and distinct garlic smell, especially when crushed or cut.
Fake garlic: It may lack a strong aroma or smell less potent, which could indicate it is either fake or of inferior quality.
Taste:
Real garlic: It should taste sharp, spicy, and slightly bitter when raw. The flavour should be robust and linger on your palate.
Fake garlic: It might taste bland, watery, or lacking in the characteristic heat of garlic.
Weight:
Real garlic: It feels heavier and denser for its size. This indicates freshness and a higher water content.
Fake garlic: It often feels lighter and may be drier, indicating it’s old or not genuine.
Growing region:
Real garlic: It originates from known garlic-producing regions like China, India, Spain, or California (for the U.S. market). Knowing the source can sometimes help ensure authenticity.
Fake garlic: It may come from unknown or unreliable sources. It's worth checking the packaging for information about its origin.
Clove structure:
Real garlic: The cloves inside the bulb should be well-formed, with a distinct shape. When peeled, they should feel firm and not easily squashed.
Fake garlic: The cloves may be irregular, overly small, or too soft. Some counterfeit garlic may even consist of cloves glued together.
Sprouting:
Real garlic: Over time, real garlic can sprout. While this might indicate the garlic is getting old, it still shows it is real.
Fake garlic: Fake garlic may not sprout, or the sprouts could look unnatural.
Peeling test:
Real garlic: When peeling real garlic, the skin should come off relatively easily, but not too quickly. The cloves underneath should be firm.
Fake garlic: The skin may peel off too easily, revealing cloves that are mushy or discoloured.
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