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Black vs White: Garlic
Garlic has been a kitchen favorite for thousands of years. But lately, there's been a lot of buzz about black garlic. So what's the difference between regular white garlic and this dark version?
Black vs White: Garlic
Garlic has been a kitchen favorite for thousands of years. But lately, there's been a lot of buzz about black garlic. So what's the difference between regular white garlic and this dark version? And which one is actually better for your health?
What Makes Black Garlic Different
White garlic is what you're used to seeing at the grocery store. Black garlic starts out as regular white garlic, but then it goes through a special aging process. The garlic bulbs are heated at high temperatures with lots of humidity for about a month or longer. During this time, the cloves slowly turn from white to black and become soft and sticky.
Black garlic tastes completely different from white garlic. While white garlic has a sharp, acidic flavor that can be overpowering, black garlic is sweet and mild. Some people say it tastes like balsamic vinegar, molasses, or even chocolate. Plus, black garlic barely has any smell compared to regular garlic, so you don't have to worry as much about garlic breath.
The Antioxidant Advantage
When it comes to health benefits, both types of garlic are good for you, but they work in different ways. The fermentation process that creates black garlic actually doubles the amount of antioxidants compared to white garlic. Antioxidants are substances that protect your cells from damage, which can help prevent diseases and health problems.
Research has shown that black garlic's antioxidant properties might help improve liver health, protect your heart, and even support brain function. Studies suggest it could reduce inflammation in the brain and help improve short-term memory.
Where White Garlic Wins
White garlic has its own special strengths though. It contains more allicin, which is the compound that gives garlic its strong smell and many of its health benefits. White garlic also has slightly more vitamin C than black garlic. This regular garlic is great at boosting your immune system and fighting off colds. One study showed that people who took a daily garlic supplement reduced their number of colds by 63 percent.
Heart Health Benefits
Both types of garlic are good for your heart, but they work differently. Black garlic has been shown to help reduce total cholesterol, bad cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood. White garlic also helps protect your cardiovascular system by supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Which One Should You Choose
The truth is, both black and white garlic are healthy choices. White garlic is perfect for everyday cooking when you want that classic garlic flavor. Black garlic is great when you want something milder and sweeter that can work in both savory and sweet dishes.
The best approach is to use both types in your diet regularly. That way you get the benefits of white garlic's allicin and vitamin C, plus the extra antioxidants from black garlic. If you don't like the strong taste of regular garlic or you're worried about the smell, black garlic might be a better option for you.
Sources:
Healthspan: White garlic or black garlic: which is healthier?
Riviera Produce: Black Garlic vs White Garlic : Which One Should You Buy?
Check out what Kristie Leong M.D. has to say about black vs white garlic: