Garlic. Aromatic, ancient, and shrouded in as much myth as it is in marinade. On April 19, we celebrate National Garlic Day; a tribute to the herb that has nourished civilizations, warded off spirits, and sparked centuries of superstition.
At Vampfangs, where gothic tradition meets modern elegance, we relish the duality of garlic’s legacy.
Revered for its healing power, feared in vampire folklore, and delicious in just about everything - it’s the ultimate contradiction.
A Forbidden Favorite?
Let’s address the (garlic-scented) elephant in the room: vampires and garlic. According to legend, this pungent bulb wards off the undead.
It’s been strung above doorways, tucked into pockets, and woven into folklore across the globe as a supernatural deterrent.
Why? Some say it’s the sulfur compounds. Others believe it’s the garlic’s strong energy, repelling what is dark and unseen.
And yet, the vampire, as a symbol of defiance, transformation, and desire—might admire garlic for its boldness. Its power. Its refusal to be ignored.
Garlic is, after all, unapologetically potent—much like those who walk our path.
Garlic Through the Ages
This humble bulb dates back over 5,000 years. Used by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese healers, garlic has long been valued for its medicinal properties, boosting immunity, reducing inflammation, and protecting the heart.
In the Middle Ages, it was worn around the neck not just to ward off vampires, but to fend off disease.
Garlic has always been about protection, purification, and power: qualities that resonate deeply with gothic tradition.
A Modern Spell: Culinary Alchemy
Garlic isn’t just mystical—it’s magic in the kitchen. Roasted, raw, or crushed into a ritual-worthy aioli, garlic transforms food into something sensual and complex.
As nightfall lovers, we’re partial to rich, indulgent dishes best enjoyed after dusk:
– Roasted garlic and wild mushroom pasta
– Black garlic hummus with charcoal crackers
– Garlic-infused oils for dipping, drizzling, or summoning spirits (we won’t ask which)
So go ahead. Break bread, dip into decadence, and kiss someone after... if they’re brave enough.
Celebrating Garlic, Gothic Style
We honor garlic not with fear, but with fascination. Wear it ironically. Cook with it proudly. And if you’re a creature of the night?
Perhaps you're not warded off by garlic, but drawn to it... compelled by its boldness, intoxicated by its bite.
Whether you’re team “eternal night” or “eternal nosh,” there’s room at the table.
Long Live the Bold
National Garlic Day isn’t just about food, it’s about flavor, folklore, and fearlessness. It’s about embracing the things that make us strong, strange, and unrepentantly ourselves.
So tonight, roast a clove. Light a candle. Tell a tale. And remember: even the most ancient myths are just that... stories.
The truth? Garlic is powerful. And power, after all, is always in style.