How does garlic scape (garlic sprout) grow, and where are its main producing areas?

Garlic scape, also written as garlic bolt, also known as garlic stem, and called garlic sprout in some parts of southern China. It is the flower stalk drawn out from garlic, and one of the vegetables people love to eat. So how does garlic scape grow? Where are its main producing areas? Which regions are suitable for growing it? The details are organized as follows:

How does garlic scape grow?

Garlic scape is the slender stem that grows from the central part of the garlic when it reaches a certain stage of growth. Garlic scape is the flower stalk of garlic, including two parts: the flower stem and the spathe. After garlic matures, it will bolt and flower in preparation for reproduction, and this flower stem is the “garlic scape”. Usually each bulb of garlic can produce 1 to 2 garlic scapes.

Where are the main producing areas of garlic scape?

Garlic scape is widely distributed in China and is grown in both the north and the south. Sheyang County in Jiangsu Province is a major producing area of garlic scape and garlic bulbs, and has been named by the state as “China's Home of Garlic Scape”. In addition, Laiwu and Jinxiang in Shandong, Pizhou in Jiangsu, and Qixian and Zhongmu in Henan are all major producing areas of garlic scape and garlic bulbs, and Daming County in Hebei Province also has garlic as its main produce. Shanghe garlic scape is of good quality; because it has the characteristics of being fragrant, pungent, rich and sticky, and its allicin content is noticeably higher than that of other producing areas, it is known as “the finest garlic under heaven”.

Extra: the nutritional value of garlic scape

1. Deworming effect: The bactericidal ability of the pungent compounds in garlic scape can reach one tenth that of penicillin. It has a good killing effect on pathogenic bacteria and parasites, and can help prevent wound infection and expel worms.

2. Antibacterial effect: The allicin and garlicin contained in garlic scape can inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Shigella, Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae.

3. Relieving constipation and preventing hemorrhoids: The outer skin of garlic scape is rich in cellulose, which can stimulate the large intestine to move the bowels and help regulate constipation. It can prevent the occurrence of hemorrhoids, reduce the number of hemorrhoid recurrences, and has a certain therapeutic effect on mild to moderate hemorrhoids.

4. Preventing blood clots: Garlic scape is rich in vitamin C, and vitamin C has a clear effect in lowering blood lipids and preventing coronary heart disease and arteriosclerosis, and can prevent the formation of blood clots.

5. Protecting the liver: Garlic scape is rich in vitamins, which can protect liver cells and prevent toxins from damaging liver cells, promote the circulation of liver qi and soothe liver stagnation, and can help maintain and repair the structure and function of the liver.

6. Anti-cancer and anti-tumor: Certain components of garlic scape can block the synthesis of the carcinogenic substance nitrosamine, reduce the incidence of cancerous changes, and can slow down and inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells, causing cancer cells to degenerate and shrink.