Traditionally, garlic was strung into braids as a means of drying and storing it. Keeping the tops of the garlic attached in this fashion also helped to prolong the freshness of the bulbs. Garlic braids contain twelve to twenty-four whole bulbs plaited together by the stems. Besides, their color, size and the flavor will, of course, vary depending upon the type of garlic used and the age of the braid. Garlic braids contain bulbs of garlic which are high in manganese, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and allicin, an enzyme responsible not only for garlic's intense aroma and flavor but also known for its anti-viral properties. Cooking-wise, fresh braided garlic can be used interchangeably in preparations that call for traditional garlic.