Hey there!

Welcome to our Winter Wellness Series where we're making 3 easy and healthy ferments together! We'll craft fermented fire cider, fermented or preserved lemons, and fermented garlic in honey. Get ready to explore the nutritional benefits and various uses for these a-Mason ferments.

In this blog, we'll be making fermented garlic in honey together! Fermented garlic in honey, a concoction steeped in ancient traditions, is making a resurgence in modern wellness practices. This potent elixir, often referred to as "honey garlic," is a natural remedy with a range of potential health benefits.

Jump to the Recipe:

The Science Behind the Magic

As we discussed in our previous Winter Wellness blog post, garlic and honey on their own have many health benefits. Here's a brief recap:

• Onions & Garlic - both part of the Allium family of vegetable, they are loaded with antioxidants for your immune health, help regulate blood sugar,  and contain prebiotics to aid your gut health. 
  
  
• Raw Honey - raw (even better if its local) honey has many health benefits from improving the taste of our fire cider to bringing rich antioxidants and antibacterial properties. To helping soothe sore throats to aiding in destroying harmful bacterial in the body. Honey can really do it all! So why is raw honey better? Raw honey is generally considered to be healthier than processed honey because it retains more beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. Local honey is thought to help with seasonal allergies as well.

The advantages of garlic are intensified through fermenting as it increases the bioavailability of the healing compounds. The fermentation process transforms raw garlic into a more digestible and potent form. When combined with honey, a natural antibacterial and antioxidant, the resulting product offers a synergistic blend of health-promoting compounds.

What does fermented garlic in honey taste like?

Fermented garlic has a complex flavor that's a cross between raw and roasted garlic, with a milder taste than pickled garlic:

Taste: Fermented garlic has a strong garlicky flavor, but it's more complex and less pungent than raw garlic. Some say it tastes sweet, with a caramelized flavor.

Texture: Fermented garlic stays pretty crunchy.

Potential Health Benefits:

• Immune Boost: The combination of garlic and honey can help strengthen the immune system, making it a popular remedy for colds and flu.
  
  
• Antioxidant Power: Both garlic and honey are rich in antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
  
  
• Antimicrobial Properties: Garlic's powerful antimicrobial properties can help combat infections.
  
  
• Heart Health: Some studies suggest that garlic may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
  
  
• Digestive Health: Honey can soothe digestive issues and promote gut health.

 Fermented Garlic in Honey Recipe 

Equipment:

• Wide mouth, pint (16oz) Mason jar
• Silicone fermentation airlock valve lid
• Tempered glass fermentation weight
• Stainless steel or plastic storage lid with silicone lid liner

Ingredients:

• Fresh garlic cloves
  
       I used 5 heads of garlic for this and it didn't fill my jar, but I got tired of peeling garlic. And as stated above, I am addicted to being difficult. And I think fresh is always best. My boss, Ryan, however, says he gets the big bags of peeled garlic from Costco to use when he ferments garlic and they "work fine" - so you can do with that what you will!
  
  
• Raw (and local) honey

Steps:

• Peel garlic, trying to not crush them too much and releasing all of the juice which contains the compound allicin, which is responsible for many of its health benefits.
  
      This is the most boring and time consuming step - get a good audiobook, podcast, or entertaining coworker to amuse you while you work!
  
  
• Fill your freshly cleaned jar 1/2 to 3/4 full or until you run out of garlic peeling steam.
  
  
• Pour the raw honey over your garlic - fully submerging the cloves and then some (the garlic honey can be used on it's own in dishes so you'll want extra!).
  
      It's important to use raw, unfiltered honey for fermenting as it will have good bacteria and wild yeast present that's necessary for the process.
  
  
• Place your clean, tempered glass fermentation weight in to keep all the cloves from floating up and being exposed to the air. This will help prevent mold and keep you from having to flip your jar every day.
  
  
• Top the jar with a silicone fermentation airlock valve lid which will allow gasses that build up during fermentation to release without letting air in (increasing the risk of growing mold and ruining your honey garlic).
  
  
• Allow your honey garlic to ferment for about a month.
  
  
• The flavor will continue to develop over time and the honey will become runnier.
  
  
• Stored in a cool, dry place with a stainless steel or plastic storage lid with silicone lid liner, your fermented garlic in honey will keep for years.

 Ways to Use Fermented Garlic in Honey

• Daily Dose or Feeling Ill: If you feel a cold or flu coming on, many say to pop a whole clove in your mouth and enjoy! The flavor is more mild than raw garlic so easier to consume.
  
  
• Tea or Straight Honey: You can also take a spoonful of honey or add it to warm water with lemon or tea if you have a sore throat. 

Recipe ideas:

• Sauces and Dressings: Incorporate the honey-garlic mixture into sauces, marinades, and dressings for a unique flavor profile. 
  
  
• Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle the honey-garlic mixture over roasted vegetables for a sweet and savory flavor.
  
  
• Meat and Poultry: Use the honey-garlic mixture as a marinade for meat or poultry before grilling or roasting. 
  
  
• Cheese Boards: Add a dollop of honey-garlic to a cheese board for a sweet and savory treat. 
  
  
• Pizza Topping: Drizzle the honey-garlic mixture over pizza for a unique topping
  .
• Bread and Crackers: Spread the honey-garlic mixture on bread or crackers for a delicious snack. 

• Honey-Garlic Vinaigrette: Combine the honey-garlic mixture with olive oil, vinegar, and herbs to create a flavorful vinaigrette. 
  
  
• Honey-Garlic Yogurt: Mix the honey-garlic mixture with Greek yogurt for a tangy and sweet treat.
  
  
• Honey-Garlic Infused Olive Oil: Infuse olive oil with the honey-garlic mixture for a flavorful oil to drizzle over salads, pasta, or roasted vegetables.

We hope you've found this blog post helpful and full of new ideas to try! If you have any questions, you can always reach out to us under our Contact Us. 

We'd love for you to share your ideas with us and how you made these recipes your own! Come by and chat with us on social media! We’d love to connect with you : ) Join the conversations going on right now on our Facebook business page, Mason Jar Lifestyle, or Facebook group, Living The Mason Jar Lifestyle! We are also on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok. Looking forward to connecting with you soon!