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Garlic: Food or medicine?

Garlic: Food or medicine?

A journey through this pungent bulb's history, culture and cuisine.

The Food Chain · BBC World Service

August 13, 202526m 29s

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Show Notes

From ancient Egyptian pyramid builders to French chefs, garlic has been prized, feared, and even used to ward off evil. In this episode, Rumella Dasgupta explores garlic’s journey through history and across cultures - from its medicinal roots and rich folklore to its starring role in kitchens worldwide. Featuring chefs, historians, and dietitians, we uncover how this pungent bulb became a global favourite - and ask the ultimate question: is garlic really good for us?

Producer: Izzy Greenfield Image: A bulb of garlic split in half to reveal cloves Credit: Getty