tbs. minced garlic
Rich in vitamin C, manganese, and selenium; contains organosulfur compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. One tablespoon minced garlic contains approximately 5-7 calories with minimal macronutrients.
About
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a bulbous perennial plant in the allium family, native to Central Asia and cultivated worldwide for millennia. The bulb consists of 8-20 cloves encased in papery white, pink, or purple skin. Fresh garlic cloves are ivory or cream-colored with a pungent, hot flavor that becomes sweet and mellow when cooked. When minced, the cloves are cut into very small, irregular pieces, maximizing surface area and releasing volatile sulfur compounds responsible for garlic's characteristic aroma and pungent taste. The intensity of minced garlic is greater than whole or sliced cloves due to cell damage and enzymatic activity.
Culinary Uses
Minced garlic is a foundational aromatic in cuisines worldwide, serving as a base for soups, stocks, sauces, and sautéed dishes. It is commonly used in Italian soffritto, French mirepoix (when garlic is included), Asian stir-fries, and Latin American cooking. Minced garlic is often bloomed in oil or fat over gentle heat to develop a mellow, sweet character, or used raw in dressings, marinades, and condiments for sharp, pungent flavor. Its fine cut makes it ideal for even distribution throughout dishes and for quick cooking applications.