How to Store Black Garlic in the Best Manner

Garlic is a staple in any well-stocked kitchen. It is essential in a variety of meals and provides food an additional kick. Garlic is well-known for its white cloves. But did you know that garlic may be black as well?

Black garlic is a kind of normal garlic that has been aged for a few weeks or even months. The procedure is not as straightforward as one may believe. To get black garlic, it must be stored in a temperature and humidity-controlled setting.

As you can see, black garlic is delicate but well worth the effort.

How Do I Store Black Garlic?

Since black garlic is so unique, it must be stored with care. Black garlic may be kept at room temperature if it has not been opened.

But, once used, it must be kept in the refrigerator. After that, black garlic will keep for roughly a month.

Black garlic should be stored in a paper bag or jar with a cloth at the bottom. This is due to the fact that black garlic, particularly when handmade, tends to spill. As a result, there is always the possibility of mold growing on it.

Best Ways to Eat Black Garlic

Black garlic tastes different than ordinary garlic. Others have said it tastes like molasses, balsamic vinegar, and even dates.

It is simple to include into most of your favorite recipes. You may use it on pizza, spaghetti, or even on top of your steak.

Some like to make a spread out of black garlic purée and olive oil. It may also be made into an aioli or a marinade.

Black garlic, unlike ordinary garlic, does not have a strong aftertaste and is much softer and chewier. You may also powder your black garlic and sprinkle it over anything that would benefit from its delectable taste.

Ways to Use Black Garlic

Since black garlic has Asian origins, it has been used in a variety of Asian recipes.

One of the most common ways to consume black garlic is to mash it up with soy sauce and chile. This sauce may then be poured over noodles, fried rice, or just about anything else.

Some like using black garlic as a spread. You may use black garlic in your hummus or mix it with cream cheese and herbs to make a spreadable dip to serve with crackers or fresh bread.

Another option to include black garlic into your diet is to combine it with mayonnaise and use it as a sandwich or burger spread. You can even dip your French fries in it!

Black garlic may be eaten on its own. Since it lacks the spicy flavor of typical garlic, black garlic may be simply diced and added to salads, charcuterie boards, or even eaten on its own.

If you want something sweeter, you may always dip black garlic in melted dark chocolate. Put them on parchment paper in the refrigerator to set. You’ll have a wonderful surprise in a few hours.

If you like ice cream, we have some exciting news for you! Black garlic may even be pureed and combined with agave, honey, and maple syrup before topping ice cream. In fact, it can even be used as cake icing!

History of Black Garlic

It may seem like black garlic sprang out of nowhere. Yet, black garlic has a long history dating back thousands of years.

Black garlic initially appeared in Korea and Thailand, and was brought to the United States by Scott Kim, a Korean innovator.

Black garlic is believed to be high in antioxidants and antibiotics, making it a favorite ingredient among health-conscious people.

The Process of Making Black Garlic

As previously stated, black garlic is created by storing ordinary garlic in a rice cooker-like device. The caramelization of the glucose in the garlic causes the brown or black hue. This is sometimes referred to as the Maillard reaction.

Many people refer to black garlic as fermented garlic, but it is really caramelized, pasteurized, slow-roasted garlic.

Health Benefits of Black Garlic

As previously said, black garlic has several antioxidants that are advantageous to individuals who eat it.

Black garlic may be used to treat a cold and is also good for the cardiovascular system. It keeps blood arteries pliable, decreases cholesterol, and may even help shrink tumors.

Individuals who have diabetes, allergies, or other chronic health conditions might benefit from black garlic as well. Black garlic also includes vitamins like B6 and C, as well as calcium and other minerals.

Some individuals have even reported losing weight after eating black garlic.

Black garlic is excellent for allergy relief because it reduces the allergic response to immunoglobulin E, which causes allergies. While black garlic can not cure diabetes, it does help reduce the risk of complications owing to the antioxidants in black garlic.

Black garlic also includes S-Allyl cysteine, which has been shown to help decrease blood pressure. While ordinary garlic contains S-Allyl cysteine, the fermenting process of black garlic enhances the quantity.

This molecule keeps blood vessels youthful and flexible, hence lowering blood pressure.

Making Your Own Black Garlic at Home

If you want to sample black garlic and wish to create it at home, follow these easy instructions:

Begin by washing your garlic bulbs and removing any dirt that may be present. Take care not to remove the peel or any cloves while doing this. Set the slow cooker on medium heat if using.

After the slow cooker is heated enough and the garlic bulbs have been well cleaned, you may begin to insert them whole into the slow cooker.

Make sure they are spread out and not touching when you set them into the cooker. Let the garlic to sit in the slow cooker for two to three weeks, being careful to leave it alone. Nonetheless, it is critical to keep an eye on them over time.

It might be difficult to tell when the garlic is done, but there are various methods for determining this. After a week, you’ll see that the bottoms of the garlic are scorched. But don’t panic; this is only the consequence of the charring of the papery coating on the exterior of the garlic.

After two weeks, you will see that the garlic cloves have become black. If they are still firm, they are not yet finished. Throughout the following week, keep a careful check on the garlic and feel it to ensure that it is softening.

Don’t be hesitant to try it out using one of the garlic cloves. Remove it from the papery covering and inspect it more attentively. You may also assess the suppleness by tasting it.

Your black garlic should have the consistency of a raisin or dried fig. When removing the whole bulb from the slow cooker, make sure that all of the cloves have this consistency.

Now, it should be ready to use in recipes such as bruschetta, vinaigrettes, dressings, and more!

Where Can I Get Black Garlic?

If you don’t want to go through the trouble of growing your own black garlic, you may always buy it from a specialist shop. Black garlic may also be purchased online.

Several local farms may also sell black garlic, so be sure to ask around to find out where you can purchase it.

Final Thoughts

Black garlic is still considered a delicacy by some, but it will eventually become a household staple.

Despite the long procedure, black garlic is simple to produce at home in a rice cooker or slow cooker. It’s an exceptionally versatile ingredient with a distinct taste that works well in almost any meal.

Apart from its great flavor, black garlic offers several health advantages that will have you incorporating it into almost every recipe you prepare.

Please remember to carefully store your garlic when you’ve finished using it! When it has been opened, black garlic stays best in the refrigerator.

Keep it in an airtight container and add a paper towel or rag to the container to soak up any water that the black garlic seeps out. Unopened, black garlic may be stored at room temperature.

If you can’t make it yourself, you can always buy it online or at most specialized food shops!