The Garlic Press: Since When?

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

21 Sep 2006 09:49 AM

While no one may know for sure who actually invented the garlic press, garlic has been known and used by man since ancient times. Egyptian pharaohs were sometimes mummified with it to insure a tasty, smelly sojourn in the after life. Ancient wall drawings depict its culinary uses as well. Many ancient Greeks considered garlic an aphrodisiac although they also used it in food preparation.

The garlic press is a much more convenient alternative than mincing garlic with a knife. The peel can remain on when a press is utilized, as it is ejected from the press with the garlic. This kitchen utensil is designed to crush garlic efficiently (as if it were a rebellious insurgent) by forcing the cloves through a grid of small holes, usually some type of piston. Most garlic presses have a built-in device with a matching grid of pins, which clean out the holes (and leave no trace evidence as what to has been.)

Some say that the flavor of garlic is dramatically altered when pressed. This makes sense if you think about it, as strong flavor compounds are liberated and more cell walls are broken (there's actually a prison riot). Some purists prefer the flavor of pressed garlic. Raw foods chef, Renee Underkoffler, claims, "a good garlic press makes dealing with garlic a clean pleasure. Pressed garlic has a lighter, more delicate flavor than minced garlic because it excludes the bitter stem." Cooks Illustrated Magazine states, "a good garlic press can break down cloves more finely and evenly than an average cook using a knife, which means greater distribution of garlic flavor throughout any given dish."

What do YOU think about garlic presses? Please share. Related Articles: "The Coffee Grinder: Where Di It Come From?"

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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Jaime Egan (2178) 21 Sep 2006 02:20 PM

I use garlic in as much of my cooking as possible -- which accounts for my low cholesterol and frequent time spent brushing my teeth. I think I need a new garlic press. The one I have does not have that extra built-in device to clear out the garlic. Thanks for bringing that to my attention!

Tristi Pinkston (10839) 21 Sep 2006 07:49 PM

We love our garlic press, although it is hard to clean. I need to find one like yours!

The only downside I have discovered to garlic is that my husband likes to eat it, sleep on the side that faces me, and then puffs on me all night long. He's very healthy, though . . .