{"id":8502,"date":"2025-02-25T16:34:13","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T15:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/salute\/black-garlic-a-treasure-of-health-and-flavor-in-the-kitchen\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T08:50:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T06:50:52","slug":"black-garlic-a-treasure-of-health-and-flavor-in-the-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"salute","link":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/en\/salute\/black-garlic-a-treasure-of-health-and-flavor-in-the-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"Black garlic: a treasure trove of health and taste in the kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Black garlic: what is it and how is it obtained?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Black garlic<\/strong> is an ingredient that is increasingly appreciated for its beneficial properties and gastronomic versatility. This fermented product, with a <strong>sweet and umami taste<\/strong>, is perfect for those looking for an alternative to fresh garlic without sacrificing health benefits. <\/p>\n<p>Thanks to its unique combination of <strong>tradition and innovation<\/strong>, black garlic has become a staple both in the kitchen and in the world of natural wellness.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s find out how to best use it and why it is considered an essential <strong>superfood<\/strong> for your diet.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Black garlic<\/strong> is obtained through a <strong>natural fermentation<\/strong> process, during which fresh garlic is subjected to controlled temperatures (<strong>60-90\u00b0C<\/strong>) and high humidity (<strong>70-90%)<\/strong> for a period varying between <strong>15 and 90 days.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What happens during fermentation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The color becomes black<\/strong>, thanks to the Maillard reaction, which develops melanoidins, compounds with antioxidant properties.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The flavor changes radically:<\/strong> goodbye to the pungent taste, welcome <strong>sweet, balsamic and umami notes<\/strong>, similar to licorice or dried fruit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The intense smell of fresh garlic disappears<\/strong>, making it more delicate and suitable for everyone.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The texture becomes soft and creamy<\/strong>, perfect for creams, sauces and dressings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Thanks to these transformations, black garlic is ideal <strong>both in the kitchen and<\/strong> for <strong>daily well-being<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7797 size-full aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sequenza-fermentazione-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"747\" height=\"387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sequenza-fermentazione-2.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2025\/02\/sequenza-fermentazione-2-300x155.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sequenza-fermentazione-2-18x9.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px\" data-smush-webp-fallback=\"{&quot;srcset&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.nerofermento.it\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/sequenza-fermentazione-2.jpg 747w, https:\\\/\\\/www.nerofermento.it\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/sequenza-fermentazione-2-300x155.jpg 300w, https:\\\/\\\/www.nerofermento.it\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/sequenza-fermentazione-2-18x9.jpg 18w&quot;}\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Black garlic in the kitchen: how to use it?  <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Black garlic in the kitchen<\/strong> is a real wild card for chefs and gastronomy enthusiasts. Its unique flavor and versatility make it perfect for <strong>gourmet dishes<\/strong> and creative recipes. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>How to use black garlic in cooking?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>In first courses:<\/strong> mixed with pasta, risotto or gnocchi for a touch of umami.<\/li>\n<li><strong>With meat and fish:<\/strong> excellent for marinades and accompanying sauces.<\/li>\n<li><strong>In salads and dressings:<\/strong> an amazing ingredient for sauces, vinaigrettes and dressings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>On pizzas and bruschetta:<\/strong> an original addition to enhance the flavors.<\/li>\n<li><strong>In desserts:<\/strong> incredible with dark chocolate to create innovative desserts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Black garlic is also perfect for preparing an <strong>alternative pesto<\/strong>, to spread on toast or to use as a base for haute cuisine dishes.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to discover other recipes with <strong>black garlic in the kitchen<\/strong>, visit our <a id=\"menureo4\" class=\"fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Collegamento Nero Fermento\">NeroFermento<\/a> website and get inspired!<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Black garlic and health: a natural superfood  <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In addition to its use in cooking, <strong>black garlic health<\/strong> is an increasingly discussed topic due to its extraordinary benefits. It is rich in bioactive compounds that make it a powerful <strong>natural antioxidant<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why is black garlic good for health?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>It boosts the immune system<\/strong> thanks <strong>to S-allylcysteine (SAC),<\/strong> a sulfur compound with protective properties.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It helps the heart and circulation<\/strong>, helping to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It protects cells from free radicals<\/strong>, slowing down aging.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It improves digestion<\/strong> and supports the intestinal flora, being more digestible than fresh garlic.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects<\/strong>, useful for the general well-being of the body.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Due to these properties, black garlic is also often used as a <strong>natural supplement<\/strong>, in the form of capsules or extracts.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to learn more about the health benefits of <strong>black garlic<\/strong>, check out our dedicated articles on <a id=\"menureo6\" class=\"fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Collegamento Nero Fermento\">NeroFermento<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Black garlic: a functional food to discover<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Black garlic<\/strong> is not just a cooking ingredient, but a real <strong>superfood<\/strong> with positive effects on health.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Perfect for enriching your dishes with a gourmet touch.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>An ally for well-being, thanks to its nutraceutical properties.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Versatile and easy to use, both in the kitchen and as a natural supplement.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Whether you want to try it in a <strong>creative recipe<\/strong> or incorporate it into your diet for its <strong>health benefits<\/strong>, black garlic is an excellent choice.<\/p>\n<p>Find out today on <a id=\"menureo8\" class=\"fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Collegamento nerofermento.it\">nerofermento.it<\/a> and bring <strong>taste and well-being<\/strong> into your kitchen!<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Frequently Asked Questions About Black Garlic<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Is black garlic good for everyone?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, it is well tolerated by most people. However, those taking anticoagulant medications should consult a doctor before incorporating it into their diet. <\/p>\n<h3><strong>Can I use black garlic in all recipes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Yes! It is extremely versatile and adapts to both savory and sweet dishes. <\/p>\n<h3><strong>Where to buy quality black garlic?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>You can buy it on <a id=\"menureoa\" class=\"fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Collegamento nerofermento.it\">nerofermento.it<\/a> to ensure an artisanal and 100% Italian product.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Does black garlic retain its properties with cooking?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, but it is preferable to add it at the end of cooking to best preserve its flavor and active ingredients.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Valentina Vecchi for her contribution to black garlic research, to Prof. Monica Borgatti for the academic guidance and to the University of Ferrara for its constant commitment to scientific research<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">SOURCES<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Ahmed, T., &#038; Wang, C.-K. (2021). Black Garlic and Its Bioactive Compounds on Human Health Diseases: A Review. <em>Molecules (Basel, Switzerland),<\/em> <em>26<\/em>(16), 5028. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/molecules26165028\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/molecules26165028<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Bontempo, P., Stiuso, P., Lama, S., Napolitano, A., Piacente, S., Altucci, L., Molinari, A. M., De Masi, L., &#038; Rigano, D. (2021). Metabolite Profile and In Vitro Beneficial Effects of Black Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Polar Extract. <em>Nutrients<\/em>, <em>13<\/em>(8), 2771. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu13082771\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu13082771<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Chua, L. S., Abdullah, F. I., &#038; Lim, S. H. (2022). Physiochemical changes and nutritional content of black garlic during fermentation. <em>Applied Food Research<\/em>, <em>2<\/em>(2), 100216. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.afres.2022.100216\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.afres.2022.100216<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Kimura, S., Tung, Y.-C., Pan, M.-H., Su, N.-W., Lai, Y.-J., &#038; Cheng, K.-C. (2017). Black garlic: A critical review of its production, bioactivity, and application. <em>Journal of Food and Drug<\/em> <em>Analysis<\/em>, <em>25<\/em>(1), 62\u201370. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jfda.2016.11.003\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jfda.2016.11.003<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Mart\u00ednez-Casas, L., Lage-Yusty, M., &#038; L\u00f3pez-Hern\u00e1ndez, J. (2017). Changes in the Aromatic Profile, Sugars, and Bioactive Compounds When Purple Garlic Is Transformed into Black Garlic. <em>Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry<\/em>, <em>65<\/em>(49), 10804\u201310811. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.jafc.7b04423\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.jafc.7b04423<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Qiu, Z., Zheng, Z., Zhang, B., Sun-Waterhouse, D., &#038; Qiao, X. (2020). Formation, nutritional value, and enhancement of characteristic components in black garlic: A review for maximizing the goodness to humans. <em>Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety<\/em>, <em>19<\/em>(2), 801\u2013 834. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/1541-4337.12529\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/1541-4337.12529<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Rathod, N. B., Elabed, N., Punia, S., Ozogul, F., Kim, S.-K., &#038; Rocha, J. M. (2023). Recent Developments in Polyphenol Applications on Human Health: A Review with Current Knowledge. <em>Plants<\/em>, <em>12<\/em>(6), Article 6. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/plants12061217\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/plants12061217<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Rufi\u00e1n Henares, J., &#038; Morales, F. (2008). Microtiter plate-based assay for screening antimicrobial activity of melanoidins against E. coli and S. aureus. <em>Food Chemistry &#8211; FOOD CHEM<\/em>, <em>111<\/em>, 1069\u20131074. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.foodchem.2008.05.027\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.foodchem.2008.05.027<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">St\u0119pie\u0144, A. E., Trojniak, J., &#038; Tabarkiewicz, J. (2024). Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Black Garlic. <em>International Journal of Molecular Sciences<\/em>, <em>25<\/em>(3), Article 3. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijms25031801\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijms25031801<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Wang, H.-Y., Qian, H., &#038; Yao, W.-R. (2011). Melanoidins produced by the Maillard reaction: Structure and biological activity. <em>Food Chemistry &#8211; FOOD CHEM<\/em>, <em>128<\/em>, 573\u2013584. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.foodchem.2011.03.075\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.foodchem.2011.03.075<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Wu, J., Liu, Y., Dou, Z., Wu, T., Liu, R., Sui, W., Jin, Y., &#038; Zhang, M. (2020). Black garlic melanoidins prevent obesity, reduce serum LPS levels and modulate the gut microbiota composition in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL\/6J mice. <em>Food &#038; Function<\/em>, <em>11<\/em>(11), 9585\u20139598. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/d0fo02379e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/d0fo02379e<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Black garlic: what is it and how is it obtained? Black garlic is an ingredient that is increasingly appreciated for its beneficial properties and gastronomic versatility. This fermented product, with a sweet and umami taste, is perfect for those looking for an alternative to fresh garlic without sacrificing health benefits. Thanks to its unique combination [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8504,"template":"","categoria_salute":[182],"class_list":["post-8502","salute","type-salute","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categoria_salute-superfood"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/salute\/8502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/salute"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/salute"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/salute\/8502\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9726,"href":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/salute\/8502\/revisions\/9726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"categoria_salute","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nerofermento.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categoria_salute?post=8502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}