Garlic Juice

The culinary importance and health benefits of garlic have been known for thousands of years by now. Green garlic is harvested at a younger stage, when distinct cloves are not formed. Its flavor is milder than matured cloves. All the plants parts (leaves, flowers) contain active ingredients, but the cloves hold more value than others. Encased in white or mauve colored, protective skin layers, the fleshy cloves of garlic can be consumed in raw or cooked form.

Fresh garlic cloves can be stored in a cool and dry place for about two months. While using them for any purpose, the outer papery layers covering the cloves are often discarded. Hence, preparation of garlic is time-consuming. Considering this, garlic is prepared in a number of ways for ready-made use in cooking or as herbal remedies for treating health conditions. One such alternative is garlic juice, which is usually made by cold pressed method. It is a wonderful product for people who do not have much time for preparing garlic.

Garlic Juice Benefits

As we are all aware, garlic is a miracle plant with so many therapeutic applications. Hence, it is understandable that garlic oil and juice extracted from good quality cloves also provide the same benefits as fresh cloves. From common cold to tuberculosis and intestinal disorders, garlic juice is effective in reducing the discomfort symptoms. It is also used as an expectorant or remedy for fungal infection and amoebic dysentery. Another health benefit of this juice is in alleviating bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory tract problems. You can read more on garlic nutrition.

So, where to buy garlic juice? You can find it in your local grocery stores and health food centers. Sold in regular jars or in spray bottles, garlic juice is available in two different forms. The first one is cold-pressed and the other is roasted garlic juice. The former imparts the flavor of fresh cloves; whereas the latter resembles that of roasted garlic. Select the flavor of your own choice and enjoy the health benefits of garlic juice.

How to Make Garlic Juice?

Instead of buying garlic juice from the grocery stores, a better option is to make it on your own. All you need is some spare time and some fresh cloves. Needless to say, garlic juice recipe requires preparing the cloves first. Remember that hundreds of cloves are used for making a few ounces of garlic juice. Accordingly, peel garlic cloves as per your required juice amount. Make use of a plastic garlic peeler for quick peeling of the cloves. The next step is making a puree out of the garlic cloves.

Add peeled garlic cloves in a food processor and blend till you get a puree. Or, you can crush garlic directly by using a garlic press. Then, place a muslin cloth over a small bowl and strain garlic puree. Press the pulp with a small spatula to collect maximum juice. If you want a pure juice without any pulp, consider filtering again with the help of a coffee strainer. Once you are done with the straining part, transfer garlic juice in a glass container and store in the refrigerator.

This is how you can make homemade garlic juice. Spraying on some garlic juice converts a plain tasting salad or dish into a flavorful one. No wonder, it is highly appreciated by people on low-calorie diet and low-sodium diet. Speaking about garlic juice substitute, you can replace ½ teaspoon of garlic juice with 1 teaspoon chopped garlic or ½ teaspoon minced garlic. If you have garlic powder, then also you can add ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder in substitution for ½ teaspoon garlic juice.