Garlic

Garlic, a bulbous gem of the onion family, emits a strong perfume and enlivens the taste with a fiery zest that changes with cooking. Garlic has a dominant presence in Indian cuisine, particularly in the northern and western areas, where it mingles with a variety of other spices such as ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chile, resulting in sophisticated and delightful spice mixtures.

Garlic, in addition to its culinary importance, is woven throughout the tapestry of Indian culture and history. Its revered reputation as a sacred and therapeutic plant can be seen in ancient books such as the Vedas and the Mahabharata. Garlic is also associated with a variety of religious ceremonies and celebrations.

Garlic, for example, is offered as an offering during Navratri, a nine-day celebration commemorating Goddess Durga's victory over malevolence. Similarly, on the last day of Diwali, the festival of lights, garlic is consumed to ward off evil spirits. Garlic takes center stage as either a major or secondary spice in the pantheon of renowned dishes, demonstrating its ability in concoctions such as garlic naan and garlic-infused chicken.