Garlic
Introduction
Varieties
Two types of garlic are cultivated in Ontario - "hardneck", the most common, and "softneck" which grows less well in our soil and climate. So-called "elephant garlic" is not a garlic at all, but a relative of the leek.
Different varieties are grown, but there are no significant differences among them.
Nutrition
Studies are under way to determine any health-related properties that could positively affect such concerns as cholesterol levels and heart disease.
History
Garlic seems to have originated in Central Asia. It's often mentioned in ancient Muslim, Roman, Greek and Hebrew literature. Widely-known in most parts of the world, its acceptance in North America is quite recent.
Today its greatest appeal in Ontario is to people of European and Asian origin.
