Garlic is a staple ingredient in most kitchens around the world, with its pungent aroma and health benefits. Moreover, it is a perennial plant that can be harvested for years, and it can be grown at home. However, not everyone is aware of its sprouting potential, so I have decided to inform the people of this beneficial side effect of garlic.
When garlic begins to sprout , you should never throw away those small green shoots . Instead, use them as an additional ingredient to enhance your dishes’ flavors! The best part? It has several health benefits , one of which includes preventing cancerous cells from developing.
This article will discuss the science behind why sprouted garlic has more nutrients than normal bulbs, how to grow sprouts at home, and why you should avoid throwing them away.
The sprouting process begins when the garlic clove detects certain stimuli in its environment, which causes it to produce enzymes that trigger the metabolic processes necessary for germination. This brings about changes in the cells of the bulb, including an increase in plant hormones known as gibberellins (which stimulate root growth) and cytokinins (which promote leaf production). However, while these changes do result in a larger garlic plant over time, they also deteriorate certain amino acids found within the garlic itself , while increasing other nutrients that benefit your health .
People usually don’t grow their own plants from grocery store vegetables because there is always risk that they are contaminated by bacteria and other environmental factors. However, this does not apply to sprouted garlic !
So what should you do?
Once your garlic starts to sprout, plant it in a pot of soil. Keep the soil moist and ensure that the plant receives sunlight every day (albeit under artificial light). After about three weeks, you will see your very own green shoots growing out of the ground, which you can then use as an ingredient for your dishes! You can also eat them raw or boil them into stews; they taste great either way!
If at any point during their growth period, small leaves begin to form along your shoots , make sure to cut off these leafy branches so that more energy is directed toward producing roots at the bottom of the garlic cloves.
Further information about sprouted garlic and its health benefits can be found in the section below, along with sources for further reference.
Sources:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/cancerprevent/page2
https://sproutpeople.org/growing-garlic-sprouts
https://healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-garlic#section8
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic#Health_effects