What is Black Garlic?
Black garlic is not really a kind of garlic, it’s a preparation that yields a great savory flavor. Used for flavor and medicinal purposes it has a long history in Asian and especially Japanese culture. Simply put, black garlic is the product of aging regular garlic bulbs over the course of weeks or months. It requires strictly regulated temperature and humidity to achieve its sticky consistency.
The garlic exudes a molasses-like flavor, it is a more delicate option than the raw bulb. It also has added health benefits, including twice the amount of antioxidants than in its regular form. It’s a great substitute and is very versatile.
Swap out black garlic for regular garlic in most recipes. You can add it to a cheese plate, bruschetta, chicken dishes, or even as a pizza topper. It also gives that extra something to a homemade vinaigrette. Keep in mind it is milder in flavor so we recommend, as always, to taste as you add.
The process of making black garlic is less difficult than it is long. It can be aged for up to 60 days but will be ready to use after three weeks.
How do you make black garlic?
There are quite a few DIY methods. If you plan on making black garlic frequently, the purchase of a fermenting box can be a great investment. However, the best approach without additional kitchenware is to age your bulbs in a slow cooker or rice cooker. The process is easy but takes patience to achieve that super sweet result.
As an additional warning, you will have that delicious garlic smell wafting in your kitchen for the entire cooking process. So be prepared to have your tummy grumbling.
Ingredients
- 6 to 7 whole, unpeeled garlic bulbs
Steps
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Gather the ingredients. Remove any dirt from the garlic bulbs by scrubbing the bulbs gently with the rough side of a clean, unused sponge or dry paper towel. Do not remove the cloves from the bulb and do not wash or wet the bulbs as this will disrupt the aging process.
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Set your slow cooker or rice cooker to warm (not low). The warm setting provides just the right temperature and humidity for aging without cooking.
Tip
Note: even though the garlic isn’t cooking, there will be a strong garlic odor throughout the process.
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Place whole unpeeled scrubbed garlic bulbs into the cooker. Do not overcrowd the bulbs. Leave enough space between the bulbs so they do not touch
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Allow the bulbs to sit uninterrupted on the “warm” setting until the cloves are soft and black (2 to 3 weeks). Check the slow cooker occasionally to make sure the setting is still on “warm” not “low” and that it hasn’t switched off.
When ready, store the bulbs whole in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Squeeze out cloves, as needed.
