Black garlic is a condiment that not a lot of people have heard of. It is the fermented version of regular garlic that is pretty popular in many parts of the world. This fascinating flavouring ingredient is responsible for adding different accents of flavours to the food. While many people think that this has a stronger taste than regular garlic, it is a lot sweeter than fresh garlic.
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Generally, one can find it in deep brown to blackish colours, and it can be prepared by keeping garlic cloves in a warm and moist environment for a long time. Black garlic is a concept that has been prevalent in East Asian countries for a long time. But because of its different taste, it is now becoming popular, and people are showing keen interest in knowing about this lesson on condiments. Here are the top reasons why black garlic deserves a place in everyone's kitchen.
* Antioxidants
As per a study published in 2017 in the Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, black garlic is obtained by heating regular garlic under high temperatures. During this process, the polyphenol contents of the regular garlic are converted into stable compounds. This makes black garlic richer in antioxidants than regular garlic. The high amount of antioxidants present in black garlic helps in providing a lot of unity to the body and fighting against harmful diseases.
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* Taste
The flavour profile of black garlic is very different from regular garlic. Black garlic goes through a metamorphosis and has an autonomous taste. It is nothing like the regular white garlic and has different flavour notes. It is slightly sweet and is not as pungent as the fresh garlic. This makes it a perfect condiment for people who do not like very bold flavours in their food and yet something versatile and delightful to add.
* Good For Heart
As per a study published in the Journal of Food and Drug Analysis in 2017, black garlic is extremely effective in reducing high blood pressure, inflammation, and other cardiovascular diseases that a person might encounter. It is naturally a powerhouse of a lot of good antioxidants and can help in reducing heart-related problems in the body. Adding a little bit of black garlic to food can help keep cholesterol levels under check and also prevent any heart-related disorders.
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* Digestion
As stated above, black garlic is a lot more gentler as compared to fresh garlic. Being rich in antioxidants and probiotics, it is quite light for the stomach and can help promote digestion. The stomach doesn't have to put a lot of effort into digesting black garlic. So, one is not likely to face any digestion-related problems upon its consumption. Black garlic is the perfect ingredient to add when one wants to make one's food tasty and yet not too strong.
* Good For Immunity
It is pretty obvious that being a food that is rich in antioxidants, black garlic can help in improving the immunity of the body. It provides strength to the body by levelling up all the defence mechanisms. Being rich in both antioxidants and probiotics can help keep people away from illness and diseases. One has to make sure that the diet is full of healthy foods, as prevention is always better than cure.
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* Anti-Cancer Properties
As per a study published in 2017 in the Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, black garlic is an extremely functional food that has many bioactive compounds. These bioactive compounds are responsible for giving it numerous medicinal properties such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. All of these properties help in keeping harmful medical conditions such as cancer and inflammation away from the body. Black garlic is a natural way of defending the body and providing it with a lot of strength and immunity.
* Good For Diabetes
As black garlic is full of a lot of antioxidants, it is also good for diabetic patients. It may also help in regulating blood sugar levels in the body of somebody who has high levels of blood sugar. Although it is a natural way of combating high levels of sugar in the body, one must first consult with their medical professional before making it a part of their diet.
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* Versatile
Other than its medicinal and health benefits, the flavour profile of black garlic is also pretty dynamic. One can use it for a variety of culinary purposes. This includes adding it as a flavouring agent in dishes, making delicious spreads or chutneys out of it, and adding it to biryanis or pulao. Black garlic has a multilayered flavour profile, and thus, it is perfect for adding to different types of dishes.