Garlic has been a kitchen staple for more than just its flavor. It lowers blood pressure and boosts the immune system, among other benefits. You may not know that garlic’s medicinal properties depend on how you slice it.
Scientific Analysis of Slice
Garlic’s therapeutic and anti-inflammatory properties come from allicin. Although garlic lacks allicin naturally, garlic cloves create it with alliinase and alliin. Crushing or cutting garlic triggers this reaction.
Using Allicin’s Magic
Easy approach to boosting allicin production:
After cutting, mincing, or crushing garlic, let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. This is the 10-Minute Rule. This allows the enzyme alliinase to convert alliin to allicin.
Just Do It!
Heat degrades allicin. Cooking it immediately after slicing destroys much of this beneficial ingredient. Allicin may form during the 10-minute pause before high-heat cooking.
Enhancing Taste and Health
This simple procedure boosts flavor and health. Allicin breaks down into other delicious components when garlic cooked, giving it a richer flavor.
After the Expectation
Mincing is still beneficial, but crushing garlic with a mortar and pestle exposes more surface area and increases allicin reactivity.
Garlic presses simplify garlic pulverization but release too much alliinase, reducing allicin production.
One Last Thought
Waiting 10 minutes can optimize garlic’s health benefits in all your recipes. Next time you desire garlic’s health advantages and exquisite taste, be patient.