Black Garlic

At the recent St. Louis Garlic Fest, we were asked numerous questions about Black Garlic.  Black Garlic is not a cultivar of garlic, it is a fermented product resulting from low heat and high humidity over many weeks.  Imagine my surprise when I picked up the most recent copy of Hobby Farms Home and there was an article on creating this elusive ingredient. (I'll have to make a more conscious effort to keep up on my reading from now on.)  Farmer Brown already makes this and has his own method.  We spend so much time on so many projects that I am not familiar with his techniques.  The Hobby Farm article outlines use of a slow cooker and a wet towel to create this balsamic-esque garlic.

There is another person who uses a modified appliance and a light bulb.  Outlined here, this is a relatively interesting method.  I googled how to do this and found a few people who just had no clue as well.  One reviewer misread an article at Black Garlic and interpreted it to say that this process occurred over high heat. That article was then quoted over and over again on other reviews.  I found a response in a chat room that stated that someone's older female Korean relative used a rice cooker to accomplish this.  Both my rice cookers auto turn off and I wouldn't trust them to the method.  I'm sure my house would burn down.  In the same chat room, a chef poo poo'd the idea of do it yourself and said to order it.  I'm not for that.  What is the fun of sustainability if I have to order something?

I even found this on Instructables, once you start combining appliances that I don't have to begin with, you've gone too far for me, but it might be worth a try for those that tinker as well as garden.

I'm intrigued, I expect Farmer Brown or Whole Foods will be getting a visit from me soon for some of this to experiment with.  I may even decide to try the crock pot method, we will see.  If you decide to try this out, let us know what you think.  If you try one of these methods, let us know how it works out for you.  I will be looking forward to your stories in about a month and a half.  I have a terrible weakness for Korean foodstuffs and love garlic as well.  Here are some links to help inspire you to new culinary heights!

Links:

Aged Black Garlic, A New Superfood?

Black Garlic Recipes

Black Garlic Noodles - Umami Blast

Black Garlic at Specialty Produce

The Health Benefits of Black Garlic

Umami Black Garlic

White Asparagus with Black Garlic Vinegrette  (someone needs to drop off a sample of this at my house)