Making fermented garlic honey is easy: peel and add garlic cloves to a jar, fill it with honey, and leave it to ferment for a month. This blend is a powerful health booster, aiding digestion, and heart health, and providing natural energy.
Ingredients
To make fermented garlic honey, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Fresh garlic cloves: The main ingredient, garlic imparts a robust flavor and has health benefits due to its antibacterial properties.
- Raw honey: Besides acting as a preservative, raw honey brings a touch of sweetness to balance the pungent garlic. It also boasts several health benefits, including soothing sore throats and boosting energy levels.
- A clean, sterilized jar with a lid: Proper sterilization is crucial to avoid any bacterial contamination. Choose a jar that’s the right size for the amount of garlic and honey you’re using. The lid should fit tightly to create an anaerobic environment for fermentation.
Please note that the quantity of each ingredient can vary depending on how much-fermented garlic honey you’d like to make.
Procedure
Preparation of Ingredients
Start off by peeling the garlic cloves. Make sure to remove any dirt or outer layers that may still be clinging onto them. After peeling, clean the cloves thoroughly under running water. Once they’re clean, it’s important to let them dry completely before proceeding. Any water left on the cloves could potentially interfere with the fermentation process. It is also recommended to gently crush the cloves to help release the allicin, a compound found in garlic that is responsible for its health benefits.
Mixture Preparation
Once your garlic cloves are ready, place them into your sterilized jar. Pour the raw honey over the garlic cloves, ensuring they are fully submerged. This is crucial as it creates the necessary anaerobic environment for fermentation. You might want to use a spoon or a spatula to push the cloves down and eliminate any air bubbles. Remember, the proportion of honey to garlic doesn’t have to be exact – just make sure all the cloves are completely covered by honey. Once done, tightly seal the jar with its lid.
Fermentation Process
After the jar has been securely sealed, it’s time to start the fermentation process. The jar should be left at room temperature for around 3-4 weeks. It’s important to note that the specific timing may depend on your local climate and the season. During this period, be sure to stir or flip the jar every few days. This will ensure that all the garlic cloves are consistently coated with honey, which is fundamental for a successful fermentation. Monitor for any unusual developments such as mold growth and if such occurs, discard the batch and start anew. After 3-4 weeks of patience, your fermented garlic in honey will be ready for consumption.
Storage
Post-fermentation, your garlic honey mixture should be stored in a cool, dark place. It is essential to choose a storage location that is away from direct sunlight and heat to maintain the quality and potency of the mixture. A pantry or a cupboard would serve as ideal spots. Remember to keep the jar tightly sealed when not in use to avoid contamination. Your fermented garlic in honey, if stored properly, could last up to a year, gradually developing a deeper flavor over time. Bear in mind that the garlic cloves will continue to ferment in the honey, so it’s a good idea to check on your mixture periodically.
Benefits of Fermented Garlic Honey
Boosting Immune System
The powerful combination of honey and fermented garlic is known for its advantageous contribution to the immune system. Honey is rich in antioxidants and has antibacterial properties, while fermented garlic contains allicin, a compound renowned for its potent medicinal properties. Together, they work synergistically to strengthen the body’s defense mechanisms. Their antibacterial and antiviral properties can help ward off common ailments like colds and flu and enhance your body’s ability to fight off infections. Consuming a spoonful of this potent mixture daily could potentially help boost your immune system, promoting overall health and well-being.
Aids Digestion
Fermented foods, including this potent garlic and honey mixture, contribute significantly to balanced gut bacteria, which in turn aids in the digestion process. The process of fermentation increases the bioavailability of nutrients, making them easier for the body to absorb. In addition, the probiotics created during fermentation can help to balance the friendly bacteria in your gut, promoting a healthy gut flora. This can lead to improved digestion and absorption of nutrients, helping to relieve digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or abdominal discomfort. Regular consumption of fermented garlic in honey may thus improve your digestive health over time.
Heart Health
Garlic, especially in its fermented form, has been widely recognized for its benefits to heart health. It has been found to lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels, aiding in the maintenance of a healthy cardiovascular system. Garlic’s active compounds work to relax blood vessels, effectively improving blood flow and consequently reducing hypertension, a key risk factor for heart diseases. Simultaneously, garlic has been observed to decrease levels of LDL cholesterol, often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol, while leaving levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol, unaffected. This balancing act contributes to a healthier heart by preventing cholesterol build-up in the arteries, thus averting conditions like atherosclerosis. Including fermented garlic honey in your diet may therefore offer a natural way to support heart health.
Energy Booster
Honey, a key component in the beneficial blend of fermented garlic and honey, is a natural energy source. This sweet, golden elixir is packed with unprocessed sugars such as glucose and fructose, which can provide a quick and wholesome energy boost. Compared to processed sugars which can lead to a sudden spike and subsequent crash in energy levels, the sugars in honey are absorbed into the bloodstream at a slower, more sustained rate. This leads to a gradual and consistent energy boost, without the abrupt highs and lows. Therefore, a spoonful of fermented garlic in honey could be the perfect pick-me-up when you need an energy uplift, giving you not only improved digestion and heart health but also a natural energy boost.
Conclusion
From improving digestion and heart health to providing a natural energy boost, fermented garlic honey offers a wide range of potential benefits for overall well-being. While it may not be a miracle cure-all, incorporating this powerful combination into your diet can be an easy and delicious way to support your body’s natural functions. So why not try adding some fermented garlic honey to your meals or taking as a tonic.
Reference:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35675656/