Domestic Granulated Garlic
Estimated Inventory, 26 oz : 23.00
This item was last sold on : 12/20/24
Description/Taste
Granulated Garlic is dehydrated garlic that is coarsely ground. Resembling cornmeal in texture, Granulated Garlic is beige to light tan in color and feels crunchy on the palate. The granules remain individual when sprinkled, with little clumping. Granulated Garlic has a pungent aroma that can be harsh on the nose due to the high level of the chemical allicin, an organosulfur compound unique to true garlic varieties. Granulated Garlic has a savory and rich flavor that is slightly sweet and nutty, balanced with a mild burn and faint bitter finish.
Seasons/Availability
Granulated Garlic is available year-round.
Current Facts
Granulated Garlic is made by coarsely grinding dried bulbs of garlic, a perennial plant, botanically classified as Allium sativum. Garlic is a member of the lily family and is closely related to other alliums like onions, shallots, and leeks. The fresh garlic bulbs are harvested, peeled, cleaned, sliced, dehydrated, and then milled to the desired size. Granulated Garlic is ground coarse, creating individual granules rather than a fine powder. Garlic powder is produced the same way but is ground more finely to make a fine, clumping dust. Garlic has been cultivated since antiquity and spread worldwide along trade and exploratory routes. Scholars believe one of the reasons garlic was a staple crop among many of the world's civilizations was its ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. Garlic can reproduce from seeds, but it can also reproduce from an individual clove that grows to create clones of itself. As people migrated throughout history, they only needed to bring a single bulb of garlic to begin growing the crop at their next settlement. Garlic not only has a long history of culinary uses, but it also has a rich history of medicinal and supernatural uses. Garlic was believed to protect against evil nymphs and spirits, sharp bull horns when worn around the neck, and protect a home from thieves, envious people, and other forms of evil when hung above the door or rubbed on a doorway.
Nutritional Value
Granulated Garlic contains significant amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin C, selenium, and manganese. Garlic is also a good source of minerals, including calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, and iron. Garlic is known to be anti-microbial, and it is believed to help boost the immune system. Garlic is considered a heart-healthy food, and regular consumption combined with a healthy lifestyle and medication may help to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and slow atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Garlic is used to support healthy digestion, and in Ayurveda, a medicinal practice in India, Garlic is used to bring a warming balance to the body.
Applications
Garlic is a fundamental ingredient utilized in dishes found in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America. Granulated Garlic is a versatile ingredient that can be used to add a bold, nutty flavor of garlic to any recipe. When substituting for fresh garlic, Granulated Garlic is the preferred choice because it has a more nuanced garlic flavor than garlic powder. Granulated Garlic mixes well with liquids, making it the perfect addition to soups, stews, and other broths. The granules add a nice texture and layer of flavor to salad dressings, marinades, and sauces. The coarse texture of Granulated Garlic makes it perfect for combining with other spices and herbs in a spice rub that can be used on meats and vegetables. Granulated Garlic can be added to mashed potatoes, mixed with butter and added to garlic bread, or sprinkled on roasted vegetables or potatoes. Be cautious when roasting at high temperatures, as Granulated Garlic does have a high sugar content and can burn quickly. To make fresh Granulated Garlic, simply dehydrate whole garlic cloves in an oven at low temperature or in a dehydrator, cool, and grind in a food processor or spice grinder to the desired consistency. Granulated Garlic can be stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container for up to three years. The spice should also be kept away from heat sources like the oven and stove for the best quality and to prevent clumping.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Although Garlic was highly regarded for medicinal purposes and as a tool in folklore across many ancient cultures, its use as a culinary ingredient was mostly confined to the lower class of these societies. In Ancient Egypt, Garlic was highly regarded by priests who even went so far as to worship it as a god. It was used as currency and buried with Pharaohs. However, the plant was considered too coarse for the upper class's refined palates, and priests actively avoided Garlic’s harsh flavor and aroma. Instead, Garlic was fed regularly to the slaves who built the pyramids. In Greece, those wishing to enter the temple of Cybele had to present breath free of a garlicky stench, or they would be denied entry. In Ancient India, those in the upper echelons of society refused to partake of the pungent ingredient because its strong smell and flavor were often associated with commoners. Similar practices took place in Spain, where knights smelling of garlic were cast from polite society for a week in the court of King Alfonso de Castille and in England where garlic breath was considered unsuitable for the refined ladies and gentlemen of the court. This sentiment followed Garlic to the New World, where it was considered an ethnic ingredient, often dubbed “Italian perfume.” Garlic did not gain in popularity in the United States until the 1950s. Today, these views around Garlic have mostly disappeared, and Garlic is used throughout the world, added to almost every savory recipe found within these cultures.
Geography/History
Wild Garlic is native to Central Asia, centered in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Garlic is one of the oldest horticultural crops known, with evidence of its cultivation tracing back 5,000 years in India, Egypt, and the Middle East. Garlic was traded out of Central Asia and into Mesopotamia 4,500 years ago, where it spread into Ancient Greece and Rome and eventually China, where it has been a staple ingredient for over 4,000 years. Garlic was introduced to Europe in the 11th century by crusaders. The crop soon took hold in European cultures and cuisine, being used as not only an ingredient in peasant food but as a ward against evil and the black plague during the Middle Ages. Garlic was introduced to the New World by Spanish, French, and Portuguese settlers, where it flourished, particularly in the climate of California, which has become a producer of some of the most flavorful and highly sought-after Garlic in the world. As of 2020, over 2.5 million acres of garlic were cultivated around the world, with the top producer being China, followed by India, South Korea, Egypt, Russia, and then the United States. China is also the world’s largest producer of Granulated Garlic. Granulated Garlic can be found in the spice aisle of any grocery store or supermarket.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Harney Sushi | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Vogue Tavern | Chula Vista CA | 619-371-3322 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
| Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Miss B's Coconut Club | San Diego CA | 858-381-0855 |
| Rubicon Deli India Street | San Diego CA | 619-200-4201 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
