NATIONAL GARLIC DAY

NATIONAL GARLIC DAY

National Garlic Day is observed annually on April 19. 

This stinking rose is a member of the lily family. This family also includes onions, leeks and shallots. While garlic originated in Asia over 7,000 years ago, it is used in a variety of cuisines, but it is also used for medicinal purposes.

It is considered an herbal remedy for colds, and it has been suggested to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Modern science has proven garlic’s antibiotic properties.

Myth and superstition reek of garlic. The most familiar one is garlic wards off vampires. This same theory seemed to work on witches, werewolves, demons and other such evils one could come across. Folklore tells us garlic grew from Satan’s left footprint when he left the Garden of Eden; Greek midwives kept evils spirits away with it, and courage filled Roman soldiers who consumed the bulb.

Our dreams often have meaning.  Dreaming of garlic is no different. To dream about garlic in the house is supposed to mean good luck and if the dream includes eating garlic (perhaps in a pesto sauce), there might be hidden secrets. There are over 300 varieties of garlic in the world to dream about as well!

Gilroy, California is known as the Garlic Capital of the World. Will Rogers was once quoted as saying it is “…the only place in America where you can marinate a steak just by hanging it out on a clothes line.”

HOW TO OBSERVE

National Garlic Day can be celebrated by cooking a terrific meal with garlic or possibly attend one of the many garlic festivals around the world. Use #NationalGarlicDay to share on social media. 

HISTORY

Within our research, we were unable to identify the creator of National Garlic Day.