Garlic Makeover: Introducing Black Garlic

You know the importance of adding color to you diet, but we bet you didn’t think that black was one of them. Black garlic is one (oddly-colored) food we are glad is a part of our gastronomic circle. And we thought we were in heaven when we discovered garlic scapes

Black garlic is actually standard white garlic that has been fermented for 3 weeks and then dried for an additional week.  After a month-long process, the jet black cloves are just waiting to be explored. The flavors are nothing like the conventional garlic. In fact its texture is compared to that of dried fruit with its chewy qualities paired with a melt-in-your-mouth consistency. The fermentation process gives it a caramelized quality that actually lessens the pungent garlic flavors making it much sweeter and lessens your desperation for breath mints. Think molasses or balsamic-like richness mixed with garlic undertones.  It has a complex aroma that is much stronger in smell than in taste.

Although black garlic is not a well-known as its white counterpart, the fermented bulb is popular for its health benefits. The “super-garlic” has twice the amount of antioxidants as the standard garlic. It is prized for containing S-Allycysteine, which is fancy talk for a natural compound that helps with cancer prevention.

Black garlic is becoming easier to find in mainstream grocery stores, but if you are having a difficult time finding it you can always turn to online retailers like Black Garlic Inc. Any spice that has its own website has to be phenomenal, right? And the black garlic love doesn’t stop there. Esteemed chefs flaunt their obsession for the ebony-hued delicacy—and we shout out our praises right behind them.

Its unique flavor and texture make it well-suited for many dishes from purees to potatoes, pastas to rice. Here is some cuisine where the black garlic shines:

Have you ever tried black garlic? What did you make?

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5 COMMENTS

  1. This is a MUST TRY! I would just like to pop the garlic out of the “wrapping” and eat it… I would just have to make sure that I don’t plan on seeing anyone for a straight week because I have a feeling I would be smelling like the stinking rose for quite some time if I did that, lol! This stuff is really intriguing though!

  2. More than any other interesting produce you’ve written about, I want to try this! Because it’s black and my goth habits will forever make me love black foods…

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