Head garlic is simply another name for a whole bulb of garlic. It's the entire cluster of cloves, still attached to the central root, and encased in its protective papery skin.
Understanding the Parts of a Garlic Head
A garlic head, or bulb, is composed of several key parts:
- Cloves: These are the individual segments within the garlic bulb. They're the parts we typically use for cooking. The size of cloves can vary within a single head.
- Root: This is the central base where all the cloves are attached.
- Papery Skin: This outer layer protects the cloves and keeps the bulb together.
Think of it like this: a single clove is like a single segment of an orange, while the entire head of garlic is like the whole orange.
The reference material states: "A garlic bulb, also known as a head of garlic, is made up of individual lobes that are attached to the main root." This clearly defines a head of garlic as the complete bulb, encompassing all the cloves.