Produce Briefs...
Orange Honeydew Melon
Oval-to-round and a delicious cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, the very fleshy juicy orangish-yellow pulp of the orange honeydew melon is encased in a hard very yellow matching rind.
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Seasons/Availability
Garlic braids are available year round.
Current Facts
Garlic has one of the largest genomes of all cultivated plants. Botanically named Allium Sativum, garlic is a member of the lily family along with chives, shallots and onions. Garlic is the common name dedicated to hundreds of varieties which can be classified as hardneck and softneck types. Softneck garlic varieties are easier to braid than the hardneck ones simply because the stems are easier to work with. Silverskin (softneck) garlics are the most commonly used for braiding.
Description/Taste
Garlic braids contain about twenty-four whole bulbs plaited together and are most often bound in a mesh bag. If used for decorating, the braids will last for a very long time. The garlic will dry out however, so unless you are an extremely avid garlic eater, the braids shouldn't be considered a functional kitchen item.
Applications
Consider braided garlic as a savory kitchen ornamental decor element.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Braided garlic is believed to protect the house in which it hangs from ghosts, spirits and negative energy that may be lurking about. More myths and lore have been written about garlic than almost any other food.
Geography/History
All garlic cultivars are considered to be derived from ten specific varieties of garlic that evolved in the Caucasus Mountains between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Garlic has been altered over time by natural and intentional selection, ever changing growing conditions, such as soil fertility, rainfall, temperature, altitude, length and severity of winter and as trade routes were evolved and extended garlic would become naturalized in often unnatural climates.
