The world may be “just a great big onion” in the words of the song – but nothing divides us quite like garlic. In this edition of Ever Wondered About Food, chef Paul Merrett discovers:

• why the onion caused the first strike in recorded history;
• how people have used garlic for centuries as a cure-all (some even believed it had aphrodisiac properties); and
• why our changing taste is impacting on how our favourite vegetables are grown.

He also finds out that onions are being used in break-through cancer research and garlic really does have medicinal properties since this stinking bulb could help cut heart disease.

But if all you love is the taste, then he’ll be showing you how to make a traditional French onion soup, the perfect steak dinner with onion jam and a really, quick and easy garlic bread.