Elephant garlic and garlic are both members of the allium genus. However, elephant garlic is classified as leek instead of garlic, making them from the same genus but a different species. So, while they are both called garlic, elephant garlic isnt actually garlic. The main difference between elephant garlic and garlic comes down to size, taste, and color. Elephant garlic is larger and has five or six cloves per head at most, while regular garlic can have close to twenty cloves per head. Regular garlic has a much stronger taste than elephant garlic. And elephant garlic is more off-white or yellow, while regular garlic is white. So, when it comes to elephant garlic vs. garlic, they are not the same.
Elephant Garlic vs Regular Garlic A Comparison of Health Benefits
Garlic is well-known for its culinary and medicinal uses, but not all garlic is created equal. Elephant garlic and regular garlic may look similar, but they have some key differences when it comes to health benefits. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how these two alliums compare
What is Elephant Garlic?
Elephant garlic gets its name from the large size of the bulbs and cloves. Despite the name, it is actually more closely related to leeks than regular garlic. The flavor is much milder with a hint of garlic essence. The bulbs consist of around 4-6 very large easy to peel cloves.
While not a true garlic, elephant garlic belongs to the same allium genus. It is classified as Allium ampeloprasum, putting it in the same species as leeks and other allium vegetables. It likely originated in the Mediterranean region and spread via Russia to other parts of the world.
Elephant garlic has a mild, sweet flavor when raw and becomes even mellower and slightly sweeter when cooked. The taste is reminiscent of onion with faint garlic undertones.
Key Health Benefits of Elephant Garlic
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Antimicrobial Effects: Contains compounds like allicin that may inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. Research has shown activity against E. coli and Vibrio cholera.
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Potential Anti-Cancer Effects: Limited studies indicate potential to inhibit growth and proliferation of certain cancer cell lines including osteosarcoma.
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Cardiovascular Benefits: Allicin content may help improve cholesterol levels and blood pressure, but more research is needed.
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High in Nutrients: Good source of manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, selenium and fiber. Contains some calcium, copper, iron and potassium.
Potential Side Effects and Safety Concerns
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Blood Thinning Effects: Contains ajoene compounds that may increase bleeding risk. Those on blood thinners should exercise caution.
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Allergy Risk: Some people may be allergic to compounds in elephant garlic. Discontinue use if signs of allergy occur.
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Toxic to Pets: Can cause anemia in dogs and cats if ingested. Do not feed elephant garlic to pets.
What is Regular Garlic?
Regular garlic refers to the common culinary garlic, Allium sativum. It has been used for thousands of years and plays an important role in cuisines around the world. The bulbs consist of multiple small cloves encased in a paper-like skin. Raw garlic has an intense, pungent flavor that mellows considerably with cooking.
There are two main types of regular garlic – softneck and hardneck. Softneck garlic has more pliable stalks and stores well. Hardneck garlic has a woody central stalk and boasts a more complex flavor. There are many different garlic varieties and sub-types.
Key Health Benefits of Regular Garlic
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Antimicrobial Activity: Contains allicin, ajoene and other organosulfur compounds that inhibit pathogens. Shows activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
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Cardiovascular Benefits: Shown to reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, platelet aggregation and blood pressure in those with high levels. May benefit artery health.
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Anti-Cancer Potential: Organosulfur compounds may induce death of cancer cells and inhibit tumor formation and growth. Limited but promising research thus far.
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Blood Sugar Regulation: Some evidence it may improve insulin sensitivity and help manage blood sugar in diabetes, but more research is required.
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Immune Support: Compounds may stimulate immune cells. Preliminary research shows possible activity against some autoimmune conditions.
Potential Side Effects and Safety Concerns
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Bleeding Risk: Large amounts may prolong bleeding time. Caution advised for those on blood thinners.
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Gastrointestinal Irritation: Can cause heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or other GI upset, especially on an empty stomach.
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Allergic Reactions: Raw garlic is a common food allergen. May cause rash, itching, runny nose, asthma or anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals.
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Toxic to Pets: Causes hemolytic anemia if eaten by dogs or cats. Avoid feeding garlic or garlic-heavy foods.
Elephant Garlic vs Regular Garlic: How Do They Compare?
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s compare some of the key differences between elephant garlic and regular garlic.
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Flavor Intensity: Elephant garlic is extremely mild compared to the pungent bite of raw regular garlic. It has just a whisper of garlic essence.
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Sulfur Compounds: Regular garlic contains higher levels of bioactive sulfur compounds like allicin. This impacts the stronger medicinal effects.
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Blood Thinning Effects: Both contain anticoagulant compounds, but regular garlic poses a higher bleeding risk.
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Antimicrobial Strength: Regular garlic shows greater antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal effects thanks to higher allicin content.
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Cancer Fighting Abilities: Early research suggests regular garlic has more anti-cancer potential, but both show some activity.
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Cardiovascular Benefits: Regular garlic appears more potent for improving cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure parameters.
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Blood Sugar Effects: Evidence points to regular garlic being more effective for glycemic control in diabetes.
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Nutrient Profile: Elephant garlic contains more manganese. But regular garlic boasts higher levels of certain B vitamins, vitamin C and selenium.
Should You Choose Elephant or Regular Garlic?
Both elephant garlic and regular garlic offer health benefits, but regular garlic packs a stronger nutritional and medicinal punch overall. However, elephant garlic’s mild flavor makes it very versatile in cooking. Those who find regular garlic too overpowering may prefer incorporating more elephant garlic in recipes.
As research expands, we will learn more about the specific bioactive compounds and therapeutic effects of elephant garlic. But for now, regular garlic remains the frontrunner when it comes to health benefits. Be sure to consult your doctor before using large amounts of garlic supplements for therapeutic purposes.
When cooking, elephant garlic can add a mellow garlic note to dishes without overpowering other flavors. Meanwhile, regular garlic provides that quintessential fiery garlic kick. Incorporating both types can provide balance in cuisines around the world.
What is Elephant Garlic?
Elephant garlic is a perennial plant that gets its name because of its large size, usually about twice the size of regular garlic. With such a large size, you might think it has double the garlic taste, but it doesn’t taste like garlic. Instead, the flavor is much closer to an onion or shallot. Elephant garlic plants have flat leaves and sturdy stalks. The flavor isnt as strong as regular garlic and can be eaten raw in salads, roasted, or sauteed, but it is generally not a substitute for conventional garlic in cooking.
Elephant garlic grows in similar conditions to regular garlic. Elephant garlic takes two growing seasons to complete its life cycle, making it a biennial. The plant does not flower in the first year of growth and produces only one bulb. In the second year, the plant will flower and produce multiple bulbs from the divided first bulb. Home gardeners can plant elephant garlic in the Fall or the Spring. A Fall crop takes around eight months to mature, while a Spring crop can mature in three months.
Garlic is a flowering plant that has a long history of medicinal and culinary uses. Garlic comes in wide varieties, but they either fall into the hardneck or softneck category. Hardneck garlic is heartier and does better in colder climates, while softneck garlic survives better in warmer climates. There are three types of softneck garlic: silverskin garlic, artichoke garlic, and creole garlic. While the other types of garlic fall under the hardneck category.
Garlic has a strong, pungent flavor that is popular in cuisines all over the world but is probably mostly associated with Italian cuisine. People have been eating garlic for the past 5,000 years, and its commonly believed to come from Central Asia.
The medicinal use of garlic has a long history of being used as an antiseptic and antibacterial. According to Healthline, ingested garlic can lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, improve cholesterol levels, and detoxify the body. The Cleveland Clinic explains that when used topically, garlic can kill fungi like athletes foot and even helps clear up acne.
Elephant garlic and garlic have some key differences that set them apart, but they are the same nutritionally. There is no difference in calories or carbs.
How to Use Elephant Garlic
Due to the mild flavor, elephant garlic is not a suitable replacement for garlic. Elephant garlic has a milder taste that is closer to onion than garlic. Home chefs can think of elephant garlic more as a vegetable than a flavor-enhancing herb like regular garlic. Elephanta garlic can be used like shallots or red onion in the salad. Shaving slices and adding raw slices to salads can add some flavor. Roasting elephant garlic makes it soft and buttery, perfect for spreading on toast or crackers. Or add elephant garlic to a stir fry, marinade, dressing, and dip for a slightly onion-like tanginess.
Black vs Regular GARLIC – What’s the difference?
FAQ
What is the best type of garlic for health?
Allicin is the main health-boosting compound in garlic. It may improve the immune system. Heirloom garlic varieties, particularly Romanian Red and Georgian Fire have more allicin than others. Raw garlic retains the most healthy compounds, so it should be eaten raw to enjoy the most benefit.
Is elephant garlic edible for humans?
Elephant garlic is very mild, almost mild enough to eat raw and certainly for those who are unconvinced of the merits of garlic. Its taste is not quite like true garlic, it is closer to leek with a bit more peppery hotness.
How many cloves of garlic is one elephant garlic?
Known for its impressive size and mild, yet delicious, flavor, elephant garlic bulbs are an essential addition to your garden! While it looks and tastes like a mild harneck type, it is actually a type of leek. This plump plant produces bulbs that commonly weigh a pound or more, averaging about 4-7 cloves per bulb.
Is elephant garlic healthier than regular garlic?
Although elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) is generally less pungent than regular garlic (Allium sativum), it has numerous potential health benefits. Summary:Cardio health: Elephant garlic is rich in allicin, a sulfur compound found in regular garlic, which is known for its ability to support heart health.
Does elephant garlic have allicin?
Allicin is also found in elephant garlic, though not as much as the amount in regular garlic. Notwithstanding, it is able to deliver some of it benefits, including lowering and control of blood sugar levels in diabetics. Tip: Don’t mix up with Garlic Salt.
Is elephant garlic good for diabetics?
The active agent responsible is Allicin. Allicin is also found in elephant garlic, though not as much as the amount in regular garlic. Notwithstanding, it is able to deliver some of it benefits, including lowering and control of blood sugar levels in diabetics.
What is elephant garlic?
Elephant garlic is generally cultivated and harvested in the same way regular garlic is grown. This way, larger bulbs can be harvested without caring so much for other parts of the plant. Like regular garlic, it can be stored for long periods of time if kept cool and dry. Elephant garlic leek is elephant garlic used as spring leeks.
What are the health benefits of elephant garlic?
It can be added to food items for a light smell of garlic. Depletive effects of trichothecene mycotoxin, a toxin produced naturally in the body can be controlled by the oil of Elephant garlic as found through studies. It might have anti-cancer properties present in the leaves, though this has not been medically established through research.
What is the nutritional content of elephant garlic?
The Nutritional Content The elephant garlic is full of healthy nutrients, including allicin, calcium, fibre and vitamins. Here are some nutritional contents of elephant garlic (chopped or raw). 9 grams of elephant garlic contains: