Garlic caliber grading is very important because it helps sort garlic by size. So garlic with a larger size (diameter) is generally preferred for export to other countries. However, smaller garlic is typically consumed in the local market. This is the story of almost all the garlic-producing countries.
Remember, regions such as Europe demand bigger garlic, so sorting becomes essential. This ensures you separate the larger garlic bulbs from the smaller ones. This sorting and caliber grading of garlic is done either manually or with dedicated machines. In this article, I discuss garlic caliber grading and how it is done. So, let’s get started.
Basics of Garlic Caliber Grading & Its Importance in Garlic Quality
Garlic caliber grading is the process of sorting garlic bulbs into different size groups based on their diameter. It means separating small, medium, large, and extra-large garlic bulbs instead of mixing them. This grading creates uniform batches that are easier to pack, sell, and transport.
Caliber grading is the next step after quality inspection. Here, workers measure the size of each bulb by using grading screens, measuring tools, or automatic grading machines. After that, they place small garlic in one batch, too-small garlic in another, large garlic in another, and so on. This grading is very beneficial in many ways. First of all, when all the bulbs in one package are similar in size, the product looks cleaner and more attractive.
This also makes it easier for buyers to choose the one that meets their needs. Secondly, grading also makes things easier for sellers. They have a well-organized stock of garlic by size. Some buyers might need small, some extra-small, and some very large. Now sellers don’t have to search for garlic one by one. Instead, they have garlic in different caliber groups and provide customers exactly what they need in no time.
Garlic caliber grading is essential for garlic wholesale suppliers. Why? The reason is that they sort and export larger garlic to other countries. In contrast, they use smaller- to medium-sized garlic in the local market. The demand for larger garlic is high in other countries. This way, they charge more for foreign customers as they provide larger-sized garlic. Local customers are typically fine with both small and medium-sized garlic because it is priced low.
Different Grades Used As Per Garlic Caliber Grading
As I said above, garlic caliber grading sorts garlic by size (diameter). This categorization of garlic is done in different grades. These include Grade A, Grade B, Special, and Super grade. In the section below, you’ll learn about each of these grades of garlic.
Grade A (Smaller Sized)
Grade A garlic includes bulbs that are less than 4.5 cm in diameter. These bulbs are smaller than the sizes usually preferred for fresh retail sales. However, small size does not affect their quality or looks. No doubt, even though they are small, they are still healthy, firm, and of good quality. Their size simply makes them better suited to certain uses rather than being sold as premium fresh garlic. Generally, grade A garlic is used in food processing because appearance is not a major concern. They are used to make garlic paste, garlic powder, minced garlic, garlic flakes, and garlic oil.
Grade B (Medium Sized)
Grade B garlic comes with a diameter of 4.5-5.0 cm. These bulbs are medium in size and have a uniform appearance. The bulbs are large enough to look attractive but are usually more affordable than larger premium grades. All this makes the garlic easier to handle and meet the size requirements of many everyday buyers. That’s why they are commonly sold in bulk at supermarkets, grocery stores, and wholesale markets.
Special Grade: 5.0-5.5 cm (Ideal for food service)
Now, it comes to special grade garlic with a 5.0-5.5 cm diameter. At this size, the garlic has larger bulbs and a clean, even appearance. It also has bigger cloves. Bigger cloves are easier to peel, chop, and prepare. This helps kitchen staff save time when cooking large amounts of food. For businesses that prepare many meals each day, this makes food preparation quicker. Therefore, special-grade garlic is sold to restaurants, hotels, and catering companies.
Super Grade: 5.5-6.0 cm
In super grade, the bulbs have a diameter of about 5.5-6.0 cm, which is much larger than standard ones. This grade is known for its larger size, uniform shape, and attractive look. Often, retail stores prefer this grade due to its fresh appearance. It quickly catches customers’ attention more easily. Large, clean, and evenly sized garlic bulbs make shelves look more organized and appealing. When customers see garlic that looks fresh and well-sorted, they are more likely to trust its quality. That’s why it is placed in the premium section of retail stores.
Jumbo Grade: 6.0-6.5 cm
The last grade of garlic is jumbo, which includes bulbs with a diameter of 6.0-6.5 cm. This size is among the largest garlic bulbs available in the market. It offers quality and looks at the same time. This premium appearance makes it a choice for gourmet markets, high-end grocery stores, and specialty food shops. Jumbo garlic also has large cloves that are easy to peel and prepare. That’s why it is chosen by customers who are looking for premium garlic or want the best-looking bulbs for special recipes.
Machinery vs Manual Grading
Grading of garlic is done in two ways. The first is manual and the second is by using machinery. In manual grading, workers do everything by hand. They first inspect the quality of each garlic bulb. For example, they look for its size, shape, freshness, and any visible defects. Then the defective and low-quality garlic is manually separated from the high-quality garlic.
After that, they place the bulbs into different grade groups by hand. This method is simple and good for small farms. However, all this takes much time and requires more workers. Also, sometimes the grading varies slightly because different people judge the garlic differently. The second method is machine grading. Workers use machines that automatically separate defective, low-quality garlic from the good ones.
They check everything thoroughly, so the chances of human error are very low. Also, these machines quickly sort garlic into different size groups. All this makes the grading process much easier, saves time, and reduces labor costs. Buying these grading machines is initially costly. But over time, it proves much more cost-effective and convenient.
Conclusion
In conclusion, garlic caliber grading is of utmost importance. This system categorizes garlic by size. Generally, larger garlic is exported to other countries, which helps suppliers make more money. On the other hand, smaller garlic is consumed in the local market.
It is worth noting that this grading of garlic is done either manually or using more advanced machines. The grading machines are typically used on a large scale. If garlic is in smaller quantities, effort is enough for its grading and categorization. In this article, I have discussed everything about the garlic caliber grading.