Introduzione
Garlic, with its pungent aroma and flavor, has long been a staple ingredient in kitchens around the world. While most of us are familiar with the common white garlic, there exists another variety that grabs our attention with its vibrant hues i.e. purple garlic.
In this blog post, we delve into the world of purple garlic, comparing it to its counterpart white garlic. From their physical representation to flavor profiles and culinary applications, we’ll explore the distinctive qualities that set these two garlic varieties apart.
What Is White Garlic?
White Garlic is a plant containing white bulbs (made of cloves) which are connected to a single stalk. You may get a large quantity of nutrients from white garlic.
It is used worldwide due to its various benefits. It is usually cultivated in autumn or early spring. It is grown through its bulbs rather than seeds and requires cold weather to grow. It is harvested when the stem of the plant turns yellow and falls in summer.
White Garlic is a must-have ingredient in the kitchen. You can use it in several recipes as a distinguishing flavoring agent – thanks to its good flavor profile. It has a strong flavor and thus has many culinary uses. It is used in salads, vegetables, meats, sauces, and soups. Garlic bread is also very popular among people.
Health Benefits of White Garlic
White Garlic has not only proven itself in the kitchen but also has a lot of health benefits. Some of these are discussed below:
1. An Anti-Cancer Agent
White Garlic is rich in antioxidants, which gives it an anti-cancer property. Studies have shown that more use of garlic in your diet can lower the risk of different types of cancer like lung, bladder, prostate, colon, and brain.
2. Provides Protection to your Heart
Studies show that Diallyl trisulfide, a component in white garlic, is found to be effective for heart diseases like heart failure. Another component of white garlic called “Allicin” which gives a pungent smell to it is also proven to be responsible for various cardiovascular conditions like Hypertension and Atherosclerosis.
3. Controls the Blood Sugar Levels
White Garlic also has some benefits for Diabetes. Studies show that garlic helps in the reduction of preprandial blood sugar levels in patients. This can help add flavor to the life of diabetic patients.
4. Balances the Hormones
Garlic also has a bit of contribution in balancing the estrogen levels in women. It is thus beneficial for women going through menopause.
5. Revamp your Skin Health with White Garlic
Garlic has numerous benefits for skin health. It helps fight acne, prevents aging, works as a whitening agent, and hydrates the skin. It is also applied externally by making face masks to get better results.
Is Purple Garlic better than White?
Purple Garlic is a type of hard neck white garlic differing in color, size, and properties. Purple garlic has purple colored peel but the cloves are the same color as white garlic. The purple garlic cloves are smaller in size and less in number as compared to white garlic. The stalk to which these are attached is comparatively hard thus called hard neck.
Why Is Garlic Purple?
Is purple garlic bad?
No!
The garlic is purple due to a compound called anthocyanin present in it, which is absent in the white garlic. It is rich in minerals and antioxidants and has more antibiotic properties than white garlic. It is also grown in autumn and is harvested in summer.
It is milder in taste, so it has a good flavor profile. It is usually used in Italian cuisines. Some people prefer purple garlic to white garlic due to its health benefits.
Health Benefits of Purple Garlic
Purple garlic has more “allicin” in it which is why it has more health benefits than white garlic. It is beneficial for many health conditions like arthritis, and heart disease, and boosts immunity. It also has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic characteristics.
Purple Garlic vs White Garlic: Nutritional Value
Is purple garlic better than white garlic? This is the question that arises in our mind when we spot different colored garlic at the supermarket. Purple garlic and white garlic both have the same nutritional components. The only difference is the difference in their quantities. Both kinds of garlic contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, etc. Other components include Allicin, Anthocyanin, Selenium, etc.
Nutritional Value Comparison of Purple Garlic vs White Garlic
Purple garlic is rich in antioxidants, allicin, and anthocyanin. While white garlic contains more selenium in it. This makes them slightly different in their use and health benefits. Thus, purple garlic is better than white garlic in having antioxidant properties. But that depends on what kind of benefits you want.
Purple Garlic vs White Garlic: Which One Tastes Better?
Garlic has many flavoring agents in it that have sulfur. Allicin is the component in garlic that gives it that spicy flavor and pungent smell.
The purple garlic is sweeter and mild in flavor than the white garlic. That is why it is usually preferred in uncooked condiments and sauces.
Add Flavor to Your Recipes with Garlic
Garlic is the traditional ingredient in recipes for years. But it is important to know which type of garlic to use to get a better taste. White garlic gives a better flavor when cooked while purple garlic is better in taste when used raw.
Here are some recipes that can spice up your taste buds with the right type of garlic used;
1. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is a famous American dish that is loved by everyone. Using white garlic is preferable for this recipe. White garlic is mixed with butter, parmesan, and parsley. This mixture is then filled inside the bread loaf and baked.
2. Chili Garlic Sauce
Purple garlic is the best choice while making sauce. Its mild and sweet taste enhances the flavor when used raw. Chili garlic sauce is a traditional Chinese recipe made with garlic. It is made by blending the ingredients like garlic, chili, sugar, salt, and oil. After that the mixture is boiled and vinegar is added.
Purple Garlic vs White Garlic: Culinary Uses of Garlic
We have already discussed how important and beneficial garlic is for the kitchen. Here, some of the culinary uses of garlic are mentioned that can help you compare both varieties of garlic before going for one:
Uses of White Garlic in Kitchen
White garlic, like any other variety of garlic, has a wide range of culinary applications:
Seasoning and Flavoring
White garlic, due to its savory and spicy flavor is used in seasoning dishes and adding flavor to them. It can be minced, crushed, or finely chopped and added to sauces, soups, stews, marinades, and stir-fries to impart its characteristic flavor.
The Base of Cooking
White garlic is often used as the base for cooking different cuisines. It is sautéed and fried in oil or butter while cooking vegetables, meats, or any other cuisine.
Flavor Blends
White garlic is sometimes mixed with other spices to create a flavor blend. This helps in making a variety of dishes with the same and simple ingredients like garlic pepper, garlic ginger, garlic mixed with mayonnaise, etc.
Culinary Uses of Purple Garlic
While the flavor profile of purple garlic is similar to white garlic, it may have variations in taste and aroma. Here are some common culinary uses of purple garlic:
Roasting and Fermentation
The purple garlic is roasted and fermented into sweet and caramel flavor aglio nero. It is used as a spread on bread or mashed into dips and mixed with other recipes. The fermented purple garlic is also used in the world-famous Korean dish Kimchi.
Dressing and Garnishing
Purple garlic is used in salad dressing. It adds its characteristic taste to it, enhancing the overall flavor profile. The cloves of purple garlic are also thinly sliced to garnish salads, soups, and roasted dishes.
White garlic and purple garlic are both can be used interchangeably in many cuisines. However, there are some differences in their culinary use based on regional preferences and culinary traditions. As white garlic is used more precisely for adding flavor. Purple garlic is used not only to add flavor but also for visual representation.
Purple Garlic vs White Garlic: Market Demand Comparison
“The global garlic market is expected to grow in the forecast period of 2023-2028 at a CAGR of 4.3%,” says an EMR report. The increase in market demand for garlic depends on its use and health benefits. It is an important crop in Asia. So, it can provide good economic benefits to grow and sell garlic in these regions.
The price difference between white garlic and purple garlic can vary based on factors such as location, seasonality, and market demand. Both are quite affordable and easily available in any supermarket
Conclusione
In the end, both white garlic and purple garlic contribute their specific characteristics to the culinary world. They both have unique abilities that can boost your health. Both purple garlic and white garlic are the same in many ways with slight differences that give you a variety of advantages for your culinary use and your health.
So, embrace the versatility, enjoy the tastes, and let your cooking be filled with the timeless charm of garlic, in all its wonderful varieties.