Lunchbox Envy 1: Garlic
Feb 24, 2025
Join a spirited discussion about the surprising reasons ninjas avoid garlic and how garlic breath might just be a secret weapon in warfare. Discover the culinary history and unique uses of garlic across cultures, from quirky dishes to its unexpected role as an adhesive. Uncover the art of peeling garlic, the battle between garlic crushers and microplanes, and even a whimsical take on garlic-flavored condoms. The conversation blends humor with culinary insights, making garlic a surprisingly fascinating topic!
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Garlic Chocolate for Spies
- British secret agents were given garlic-infused chocolate bars in WWII.
- This was to help them blend in with French and Spanish locals, as the British viewed garlic as suspicious.
British Garlic Skepticism
- In the 1940s, Britain considered garlic use suspicious, unlike other European cultures.
- Elizabeth David helped popularize garlic in British cuisine, changing its perception.
Garlic as Medicine
- Pliny the Elder listed garlic as a remedy for 61 ailments, including scorpion bites and epilepsy.
- He also considered it an aphrodisiac, despite its pungent smell.