Garlic shoots (English: Garlic Shoots / garlic scapes / garlic spears), also known as garlic sprouts, garlic cents, garlic moss or garlic seedlings, refer to the tender green flower stems that grow when garlic bulbs grow. These sprouts are harvested from the garlic plant before it fully matures into a bulb and can be used as a delicious and nutritious cooking ingredient.
Exterior
Garlic sprouts usually have slender stems that have a curly or coiled shape. Their color may vary from light green to bright green, depending on their age and growing conditions. The buds emerge from the center of the garlic plant and grow upward in a spiral.
Flavor characteristics
Garlic sprouts have a mild, delicate garlic flavor, similar to that of young garlic cloves. The flavor is less pungent and sharp than mature garlic bulbs, making garlic sprouts very versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.
Nutritional Facts and Calories
100 g raw garlic cores:
- Calories: 25 calories
- Total fat: 0.5 grams
- Saturated fat: 0.1 grams
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Total carbohydrates: approximately 5.3 grams
- Dietary fiber: 2.6 grams
- Sugar: 1.3 grams
- Protein: approximately 2.6 grams
- Calcium: Approximately 21 mg (2% DV)
- Potassium: Approximately 302 mg (6% DV)
- Vitamin C: Approximately 25% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin B6: about 7% DV
- Folic acid: about 13% DV
- Iron: about 2% DV
Garlic core health benefits
Enhance bone health
Allicin and onion are two active ingredients in garlic cloves that can prevent the production of certain enzymes that accelerate the breakdown of bone tissue. This is important as you age and the risk of osteoporosis becomes greater.
Improve vision
Garlic cloves are a good source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that has been specifically linked to improved vision, including reducing the incidence of macular degeneration and slowing the growth of cataracts.
Anti-cancer potential
Allium vegetables have a variety of disease-preventing properties. Garlic stems contain many active ingredients with cancer-fighting abilities, but specifically, high concentrations of diallyl sulfide are found in these stems. These are directly linked to apoptosis, preventing the spread of these cells.
Improve blood circulation
Like garlic cloves, the flower stems are thought to help improve blood circulation. They're also linked to increased oxygenation of your blood, which can boost energy levels and help your body repair itself faster.
Detoxify the body
Studies have found that regular consumption of garlic cloves helps flush the liver and kidneys, thereby detoxifying the body. This vegetable also has diuretic properties, which helps the body eliminate waste and toxins quickly.
Buy garlic cores
When purchasing garlic cores, look for soft, curly ones. The best garlic cores are those with the most curves.
