Black Garlic vs White Garlic : Which One Should You Buy?

Garlic

Call it Allium Sativum part of Amaryllidaceae family or simply known as Garlic.

It’s impossible to create a dish worth serving without adding some of this magical, versatile kitchen staple in some shape or form.

Whether it be fresh, pureed, roasted whole or dried and ground up into a powder, garlic is arguably the world’s favorite and most widely used spice.

But not all garlic is created equal, and if you are looking to take your dishes to the next level you have probably come across the latest buzz word in the foodie community – black garlic.

So, what exactly is this black gold of the garlic world and what is the difference between black garlic vs white garlic? And is it more than just another buzz word of the month?

Well, simply put, white garlic is your traditional clove of garlic that comes in all different shapes and sizes and that we are all familiar with. And its sticky, sweet darker cousin on the other hand, is fresh garlic that has been aged by warming the bulbs at high humidity for an extended period of time. And no, this is not the same as roasted garlic! This process will often take a month or more, as the cloves are heated until the once white cloves turn black, tender, and sticky.

But do we really need another form of garlic? And what is wrong with the time-tested favorites of a simple fresh garlic clove or some garlic powder? Here’s a look at how this darker aged garlic and traditional fresh white garlic compares, and if it is actually worth the extra splurge.

3 Main Taste Differences Between Black Garlic And White Garlic

Vampires beware: A lot of garlic is about to be consumed!

One of the first things that you will notice about black garlic vs white garlic is that the darker variety has a distinct lack of aroma, as compared to its pale relative. Because the darker variety has basically been caramelized and fermented, it has a much sweeter, milder taste than its white counterpart.

Black garlic has been described as having a very complex taste, with an unusual combination of sweet and sour flavors, with a hint of smoke. Some people have even described the taste as something akin to aged balsamic or chocolate, with a lot of people unable to place the flavor entirely, but once they try it, most can’t get enough of it!

On the other hand, white garlic has a strong raw acidic flavor that can easily become overpowering if even a little too much is used. The aroma of raw garlic will also be very recognizable in dishes, as opposed to black garlic that has almost no aroma with a flavor profile that’s hard to pinpoint.

How to Use Black Garlic vs White Garlic

With a type of garlic that is mild and deliciously sweet, with a complex umami filled flavor profile, the cooking possibilities are clearly endless. In fact, this fermented caramelized version of garlic is extremely versatile and can be used for both sweet and savory dishes of all kinds. So even if you don’t think garlic goes with a dish, this complex and pleasing take on garlic just might be the change you need.

The rich caramelized flavors of these cloves evoke flavors of molasses, anise, balsamic vinegar, and chocolate, which makes it perfect to add to almost any dish, including sweet ones!

Try it in surprising and unconventional ways in sweet recipes like this chocolate chip cookie recipe with black garlic. The natural sweetness works perfectly in a cookie recipe and the natural savory taste of garlic adds a surprising umami element.

And if you are feeling adventurous, another favorite sweet recipe to add this umami filled ingredient to is ice cream. But if you want to keep your recipes more traditional, it works amazingly in vinaigrettes, stews, aioli’s and pretty much every savory recipe that you would usually add garlic too.

Just remember that unlike white garlic, once opened this darker variety needs to be refrigerated and used by the sell by date on the package.

Garlic Health Benefits

This unique ingredient has its origins in Korea in the 1980’s, and is believed to contain a multitude of valuable nutrients, including twice as much antioxidants as standard garlic. It is also a fantastic source of amino acids – the building blocks of protein in the body- and may even help control blood sugar in diabetic patients and lower the risk of heart disease as it lowers bad cholesterol in the blood.

Ongoing studies have also suggested that it may help prevent inflammation that can negatively impact brain function, and several studies have also suggested that it can help fight off cancer cells.

All of these added health benefits come from the heated slow aging process that changes the chemical makeup of the already healthy and nutritious white garlic into a super charged anti-oxidant super food. Although more studies are needed to confirm the health benefits of the darker variety, it is definitely looking to be one of the best superfoods around in coming years.

Where To Buy Wholesale Garlic

Though this black gold of the garlic world is not a very common ingredient, and you might not see it stocked at your local chain grocery store just yet, there are plenty of other places to stock up on this super ingredient.

If you are in the tristate area and looking to add the rich unique taste of black garlic to your menu, then look no further than Riviera Produce.

Riviera Produce is your go to wholesale produce supplier, servicing all your restaurant needs in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia. Riviera Produce will not only cater to all of your wholesale black garlic and wholesale white garlic needs, but also all of your produce and restaurant supply needs.

Whether its wholesale garlic, farm fresh produce or dry goods visit Riviera Produce today to set your restaurant on the path to success!