It is far older than the European culture that named it. The plant's simplicity has a basic appeal in this age of complexity and complicated flowering plants. It is a bulb, a clone of some incredibly old mother bulb grown and regrown through the centuries perhaps even harboring traces of human history beneath each bulb wrapper. Unfortunately, much of what people know about garlic is laced with myth and falsehood. The superstitions must be replaced by sound history.
Fine garlic is an art.
The mystique is there as well it should be but must be broadened and connected more strongly to an ecological foundation. The vast benefits of garlic are being widely recognized in today's society. If you are an adventurous gardener growing your own garlic could be a fascinating challenge. For just pure garlic lovers a Crack and Peel is a real must. It is a rustic yet gourmet way to enjoy garlic.