The Complete Book of Garlic

A Guide for Gardeners, Growers, and Serious Cooks

An essential element in cuisines around the world, garlic enjoys near mythic status among cooks, chefs, foodies, and enthusiasts of natural remedies. Worldwide, garlic cultivation occupies over 2 million acres of farmland, an area that has more than doubled since 1970. Yet even garlic fanciers may be unable to tell hardneck from softneck, or Purple Stripe from Rocambole, not to mention the hundreds of cultivated varieties grown today, many with distinct differences in taste and character. In fact, the wealth of garlic varieties in nearly a dozen horticultural groups rivals that of corn, carrots, apples, and peaches. This book is the most comprehensive and in-depth guide available to what surely should be the next gourmet frontier. From 'Ajo Rojo' to 'Zemo', Meredith presents illustrated profiles of nearly 150 cultivars. Detailed chapters cover natural history, the history of garlic in cultivation, the nuances of cuisine and culture, therapeutic benefits, plant structure, how to cultivate, curing and storage, taxonomy, pests and diseases, and chemistry. Especially useful are the Quick Guides, which summarize information on growing and buying garlic and provide recommendations for the best-tasting cultivars for specific uses and climates. Lists of garlic sources and organizations are a boon to the aficionado. Whether you share Ted Jordan Meredith's "garlic affliction" or just find the pungent bulb indispensable, you'll understand it as never before with this meticulously researched, lovingly written exploration

Media reviews of this book:

"The aroma of garlic nearly wafts from the pages of this delectable book. ... Where this book breaks ground is in the idea of growing garlic ornamentally as well as in its precise information on how to harvest and store this most pungent of bulbs ... and the photos are stunning."

—Valerie Easton, Seattle Times, October 12, 2008

"Verve and thoroughness are evident in this outstanding work. Highly recommended."

—Bonnie Poquette, Library Journal, July 2008

"A comprehensive guide to the vegetable, including its history, cultivation, and cultural use."

—La Cucina Italiana, July/August 2008

"Imagine my delight when I received a copy of ... this very informative book. ... Meredith goes into depth about the many varieties available ... and the photographs illuminate just how beautiful garlic can be. If I ever grow my own garlic, this is the book I'll use as a reference."

—Esther Sung, Epicurious.com, October 29, 2008

"No ordinary book on garlic. It is a literary masterpiece, a reference book, a grower's bible, a summary of garlic research explained in layman's terms, and one that is a 'must' for any garlic lover's library."

—Paul Pospisil, The Garlic News, Winter 2008