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Garlic: Food or medicine?

A journey through garlic’s history, culture, and cuisine to discover if this pungent bulb is truly a wonder food.

From ancient Egyptian pyramid builders to French chefs, garlic has been prized, feared, and even used to ward off evil. In this episode, Rumella Dasgupta explores garlic’s journey through history and across cultures - from its medicinal roots and rich folklore to its starring role in kitchens worldwide. Featuring chefs, historians, and dietitians, we uncover how this pungent bulb became a global favourite - and ask the ultimate question: is garlic really good for us?

Producer: Izzy Greenfield
Image: A bulb of garlic split in half to reveal cloves Credit: Getty

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26 minutes

Last on

Sun 17 Aug 2025 17:32GMT

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  • Thu 14 Aug 2025 03:32GMT
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  • Thu 14 Aug 2025 17:32GMT
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  • Sun 17 Aug 2025 08:32GMT
  • Sun 17 Aug 2025 17:32GMT

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