Template:Chapters 8.19 8.20

8.20-Garlic value addition

Marika Li , University of Guelph, Canada

Suggested citation for this chapter.

Li,M. (2022) Garlic value addition, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org

Background

Garlic (Allium sativum) is an herb originating from Central and Western Asia that is used worldwide as a food seasoning and for traditional medicine (Ayaz and Alpsoy, 2007). Garlic is a popular spice in many cultures, especially Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. Globally, over one million hectares of land are cultivated to grow 10 million pounds of garlic annually (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2007). For example, garlic is of special importance to farmers in South Asia due to its prominence in traditional South Asian cuisine; garlic is grown for domestic and international markets and is also used as an intercrop (Prasad, 2012; Islam et al, 2016). In Africa, garlic has been grown in Ethiopia as a high-value crop, despite challenges with soil health and climate (Driba-Shiferaw, 2016). Garlic consumption has been linked to various health benefits due to the presence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids (Tattleman, 2005; Borek, 2001; Rahman 2006). For example, allicin found in garlic bulbs may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers (Tattleman, 2005; Rahman, 2006).

Allicin has also been identified as a key defensive compound in garlic plants (Rahman, 2006). Thus, garlic plants are naturally resistant to many pests and diseases due to the antimicrobial and insecticidal effects of garlic juice and essential oil (Slusarenko et al, 2007; Jahromi et al, 2012; Tariq & Magee, 1990). Due to garlic’s strong smell and taste, intercropping with garlic can deter insects, wildlife or livestock from feeding on more vulnerable crops, such as corn (Murray, 2018; Trenbath, 1993). Urine can be used as an organic fertilizer for garlic (Troittier, 2018). Garlic oil or juice may also be used as a seed treatment for preventing the growth of fungi. Preventing crop losses from wildlife raids, insect pests and plant diseases can greatly improve a subsistence farmer’s income.

Post-harvest value additions can also augment a smallholder farmer’s income. Selling raw produce provides very little profit compared to produce made into consumer products. Taking advantage of garlic’s popularity and ease of production to produce value-added products may be a major opportunity for subsistence farmers increase their income and improve their livelihoods.

Organic pesticide spray

Public concerns related to the safety of synthetic pesticides has created an increased demand for organic produce, especially in wealthier countries. Since garlic juice contains compounds with antifungal, antibacterial and insecticidal activities, there is potential for smallholder farmers to market garlic as an organic (naturally-sourced) pesticide (Prowse and Galloway, 2006). After harvesting garlic cloves, farmers can simply crush garlic cloves in a container and pour boiling water over it, then allowing it to steep for 8 – 12 hours (Wright, 2018). The amount of garlic and water added depends on how concentrated or potent the spray is intended to be, though a ratio of one garlic head for every two cups of water is a good starting point (Wright, 2018). The pesticide concentrate can then be strained into a spray bottle to remove pieces of garlic. At this point, other ingredients may be added to the spray to increase insecticidal or antimicrobial activity, such as soap, chili pepper (Wright, 2018). Smallholder farmers may be able to sell their biopesticide sprays on roadside stalls, in urban centres or on visits to other farmers. The value addition for smallholder farmers selling this pesticide spray would be significant. For example, fresh garlic may sell for only 20 - 25 Indian Rupees (RS) per kilogram, or 38-48 Canadian cents per kilogram (IndiaMart, 2018). The pesticide spray requires only one head of garlic per 250 mL concentrate, which can then be diluted and sold to other farmers or gardeners for well over 50 cents. For instance, some liquid spray bioinsecticides are sold by the litre on IndiaMart (2018) for at least 220 to 800 RS, or $4.20 to $16.22 CAD.

Garlic butter/paste

Garlic is used in a wide range of cuisines, but the process of peeling and mincing garlic can be tedious. Thus, pre-minced garlic in tubes or jars are widely available in supermarkets in wealthy nations. Garlic butter or paste is a less labour-intensive product that can be easily made in large batches by smallholder farmers and their families. To make garlic butter, the garlic cloves must first be separated with their hard, basal plates removed (Thomas-Singh, 2018). The cloves can then be crushed into a paste (the skins must be removed after crushing the cloves initially) (Steiman, 2015). At this point in the process, salt and/or lemon juice can be added to the paste to soften the garlic and improve shelf life (Steiman, 2015; Chemali, 2014). Some recipes also recommend adding cooking oil to make a more convenient product and to extend the shelf life of the paste (Thomas-Singh, 2018). Garlic butter can then be packaged in a glass jar and eaten as a spread on breads or crackers, or used in cooking (e.g. stir fries, roasted meats and vegetables, sauces or marinades). This product may increase the value of raw garlic from $0.38 CAD to $1.55 CAD per kilogram (IndiaMart, 2018).

Garlic oil

Another simple value-added garlic product is garlic infused oil. Garlic oil is made when crushed and peeled cloves of garlic are added to a vegetable oil of choice. Any neutral-tasting oil that is liquid at room temperature (unsaturated) is suitable for this product. Sesame and peanuts oils, which are widely available in Africa, would create a garlic oil with a unique, nutty flavor for Chinese and Middle Eastern cuisine, while mustard oil may be suitable for South Asian markets. The oil and garlic can then be heated on low heat for five minutes (Garten, 2004). Turn off heat when garlic is lightly browned; the garlic will continue to cook for a minute after it is removed from heat (Garten, 2004). The ratio of garlic to oil should be one head of garlic per cup of oil, or 6 cloves per cup of oil if a milder flavour is desired (Garten, 2004). The oil can then be transferred to a clear container, with or without cloves. The oil can then be sold for cooking purposes, such as in sauces or dips. Dried garlic scapes may be added to the oil to add flavour and create visual interest. An alternative use for garlic oil is as a broad-spectrum pesticide applied to plants weekly to deter and suffocate pests as well as hinder microbial growth (Bogran et al, 2006; Bhatnagar-Thomas and Pal, 1974; Ho et al, 1996).

Garlic cloves snackfood

Raw garlic has a pungent, sharp taste and smell that turns savory and slightly sweet when cooked. Garlic is considered a “functional food” and a “super food” because of its combination of rich flavour and high nutrient content (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2007). Garlic contains vitamin C, potassium, phosphorous, selenium, calcium, and zinc (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2007; United States Department of Agriculture 2018). Cooked garlic has the potential to be a novel and relatively healthy snackfood. One head of peeled cloves can be added to a pan with one cup of oil over and roasted for 20 – 30 minutes on low-medium heat until the cloves turn a light, golden brown colour (Avey, 2018). The cloves can then be seasoned with salt and pepper. The leftover garlic-infused oil can be saved and sold or used at home. The roasted garlic cloves can also be marketed as a cooking ingredient.

Practical tips to enable value addition

Creating the suggested value-added garlic products can be accomplished with inexpensive tools and equipment. A handheld garlic crusher is a useful tool for obtaining garlic paste without having to peel garlic or remove the hard, basal plates. A mortar and pestle can also be used to crush garlic cloves more efficiently. Ideally, garlic products should be made in large pots and pans on gas or electric stoves to allow control of heat and prevent garlic from burning, however these products can also be made on wood or charcoal stoves if the level of heat can be controlled and kept low. The garlic pesticide spray, butter, oil and snackfood do not require minced or sliced garlic, which keeps labour requirements low. For the garlic snackfood, fairly labour-intensive removal of basal plates and skins is required before individually roasting the cloves. Overall, removing skins and crushing cloves requires the most labour.

Attractive packaging is an excellent opportunity for increasing value of low-cost garlic products. Glass packaging, such as jars for the garlic butter and long bottles for the garlic oil, are ideal for showcasing texture and colour of the products. The garlic pesticide spray can be packaged in either glass or plastic spray bottles, though glass may be ideal since hot water can be directly poured into the container. Adding a simple, well-designed label could also showcase the quality of the product. Lastly, the garlic snackfood can be simply packaged in resealable plastic bags or jars. For instance, 125 ml glass jars may be purchased wholesale on Alibaba.com for $0.15 to $0.45 USD per piece, while glass spray bottles can be purchased for $0.35 USD per piece. Perhaps on a local scale there could be an incentive for customers to return their containers for discounted refills, allowing the farmer to save on packaging costs.

There is a diverse target market for these value-added garlic products. These products can be sold in grocery stores, gift shops and tourist hotels as natural products for those interested in cooking with garlic without the hassle of peeling, slicing or mincing. Some of these products may be sold in roadside stands, such as the garlic cloves snackfood. The garlic pesticide spray can be marketed to both gardeners and farmers, especially those growing organic produce or ornamental plants on a smaller scale. Female farmers with small vegetable gardens or smallholder peri-urban farmers would be great target markets as well as business partners. The products should be transported to be sold in rural markets, urban centres, local stores and on visits to other farmers, ideally within a week or two after production. Farmer co-operatives would be ideal for efficiently producing, packaging and transporting the products. For instance, farmer co-operatives could invest in machinery to quickly sort garlic, break bulbs and remove peels (Prasad, 2012).

Critical analysis

The major issue with creating garlic products is proper storage. Natural, hand-made products generally do not have a long shelf life and must be transported and sold within weeks. To maintain freshness and potency, garlic products should be stored in cool, dark conditions. Garlic cloves needed for future plantings need to be stored in cool conditions to promote sprouting and bulb development. Many small-holder farmers lack access to refrigerators and cellars; one solution is for a village to invest collectively in a large refrigerator unit. Indigenous refrigeration methods may be used if a farmer lacks access to electricity. The garlic can be stored in sealed containers (e.g. zipper sealed bags) submerged in cool water (Sundararajan and Malikarjuna, N.d.). In warm, dry climates, a Zeer clay pot is the preferred method for storing produce and is appropriate for storing garlic and garlic products. To make a Zeer clay pot, a famer only needs two clay pots, one larger pot with a smaller pot side, with a layer of wet sand between the pots (Practical Action, N.d.). Fortunately, garlic is relatively self-preserving due to high levels of antimicrobial compounds in garlic essential oil (Ho et al, 1996).

Helpful links to get started

FAO overview on growing garlic and post-harvest operations

• http://www.fao.org/3/a-av002e.pdf

Directions for producing some value-added garlic products https://www.profitableplantsdigest.com/profit-from-garlic-with-these-eight-value-added-products/Garlic infused oil https://www.marthastewart.com/852369/garlic-oilGarlic pesticide spray • https://homeguides.sfgate.com/garlic-spray-garden-pests-22908.html

Videos for making garlic products • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hduYRarZJT0 • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZDUWRUnF3Uhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_4PiqDe7-s

Tips on growing, harvesting and storing garlic • https://www.westcoastseeds.com/garden-resources/articles-instructions/harvest-garlic/ • https://www.almanac.com/plant/garlic • http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/growing-garlic.html#.W-uMAYFKjnE

Growing garlic in warm climates • https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/garlic/how-to-grow-garlic-in-warmer-climates.htm • http://greyduckgarlic.com/Southern_Garlic_Grower_Guide.html • https://ranchodelicioso.com/growing-garlic-in-the-tropics/

Sites for buying tools and packaging • https://tiansrun.en.made-in-china.com/product/dXNmyMqoGrUZ/China-Anti-Slip-Easy-to-Clean-Kitchen-Garlic-Press.html • https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Ceramic-Mortars-And-Pestle_1717522480.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normalList.22.64e74f3fBYE1F5&s=p • https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/wholesale-500ml-amber-glass-trigger-spray_60651203500.html?spm=a2700.7724857.normalList.14.414f283bauILbA&s=p • https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Wholesale-stand-up-aluminum-lined-brown_60818592888.html?spm=a2700.7735675.normalList.38.lWivPc&s=p • https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Wholesale-Family-Size-Mini-30gms-Hexagonal_60781990137.html?spm=a2700.7724857.normalList.114.772532ebJXDCJK • https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Wholesale-Eco-Friendly-clear-glass-jar_60770231684.html?spm=a2700.7724857.normalList.38.772532ebJXDCJK • https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Factory-wholesale-250ml-empty-honey-glass_60804050629.html?spm=a2700.7724857.normalList.2.772532eb7MPqEY&s=p

Buying garlic cultivars online • https://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/CN/garlic.html

References

1. Avey, T. (2018). How to roast garlic. Retrieved from https://toriavey.com/how-to/how-to-roast-garlic/

2. Ayaz, E., & Alpsoy, H. C. (2007). Garlic (Allium sativum) and traditional medicine. Turkiye a. parazitolojii dergisi, 31(2), 145-149.

3. Bogran, C. E., Ludwig, S., & Metz, B. (2006). Using oils as pesticides. Texas FARMER Collection.

4. Bhatnagar-Thomas, P. L., & Pal, A. K. (1974). Studies on the insecticidal activity of garlic oil. II. Mode a. of action of the oil as a pesticide in Musca domestica nebulo Fabr and Trogoderma granarium Everts. Journal of Food Science and Technology 11, 153-158.

5. Borek, C. (2001). Antioxidant health effects of aged garlic extract. The Journal of Nutrition, 131(3), a. 1010S-1015S. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/131.3.1010S

6. Chemali, J. (2014) Garlic Paste (Toum). The Washington Post. Retrieved from a. https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/garlic-paste-toum/14095/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.837a68d56981

7. Diriba-Shiferaw, G. (2016). Garlic nutrient management in Ethiopia-a review. Journal of Spices and a. Aromatic Crops, 25(2), 91-103.

8. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2007). Garlic: Post-harvest operations. a. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/a-av002e.pdf

9.Garten, Ina. (2004). Garlic oil. Retrieved from https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/garlic a. oil-recipe-1942619

10. Ho, S. H., Koh, L., Ma, Y., Huang, Y., & Sim, K. Y. (1996). The oil of garlic, Allium sativum a. L.(Amaryllidaceae), as a potential grain protectant against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 9(1), 41-48.

11. Jahromi, M. G., Pourmirza, A. A., & Safaralizadeh, M. H. (2012). Repellent effect of sirinol (garlic

12. emulsion) against Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) and Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) by three laboratory methods. African Journal of Biotechnology, 11(2), 280-288. http://dx.doi.org/10.5897/AJB11.2548

13. Islam, M. R., Hossain, M. F., Mian, M. A. K., Hossain, J., & Alam, M. A. (2016). Outcome of a. intercropping garlic with brinjal for the small holder farmers of Bangladesh. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, 50(2), 177-182

14. IndiaMart (2018). Bio Insecticide, 1 Litre. Retrieved from a. https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/bio-insecticide-19053228648.html

15. IndiaMart (2018). Garlic paste. Retrieved from https://dir.indiamart.com/search.mp?ss=garlic+paste

16. IndiaMart (2018). Rainbow Bio-Chem Bio Insecticides Solution, Agriculture. Retrieved from a. https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/liquid-bio-insecticides-19898459562.html

17. IndiaMart (2018). Sampanna Food Fresh Garlic. Retrieved from a. https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/fresh-garlic-20274778112.html

18. Murray, E. (2017). Treating seeds with urine. In M. Raizada (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Subsistence a. Farming Solutions (pp. 75). Manuscript in preparation. http://www.sakbooks.com/

19. Pathak, C. S. (1993, February). Allium improvement for the tropics: Problems and AVRDC strategy. a. In International Symposium on Alliums for the Tropics 358, 23-32

20. Practical Action. (N.d.). Zeer pot fridge. Retrieved from https://practicalaction.org/zeer-pot-fridge

21. Prasad, R. (2012). A Technology Package of Garlic Processing for Value Addition. Retrieved from a. http://rutag.iitd.ac.in/rutag/sites/default/files/projects_files/Garlic%20Processing%20Machine.pdf

22. Prowse, G. M., Galloway, T. S., & Foggo, A. (2006). Insecticidal activity of garlic juice in two dipteran a. pests. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 8(1), 1-6.

23. Rahman, M. S. (2007). Allicin and Other Functional Active Components in Garlic: Health Benefits and a. Bioavailability. International Journal of Food Properties, 10(2), 245-268. doi:10.1080/10942910601113327

24. Slusarenko, A. J., Patel, A., & Portz, D. (2008). Control of plant diseases by natural products: Allicin a. from garlic as a case study. In Collinge D.B., Munk L., Cooke B.M. (Eds.), Sustainable disease management in a European context (pp. 313-322). Springer, Dordrecht.

25. Steidman, A. (2015). Homemade Garlic Paste in 3 Easy Steps. Epicurious. Retrieved from a. https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/homemade-garlic-paste-trick-article

26. Sundararajan, T. and Malikarjuna, J. (N.d.) Refrigeration cycles. Retrieved from a. https://nptel.ac.in/courses/112106133/Module_6/3_Methods_Of_Refrigeration.pdf

27. Tariq, V. N., & Magee, A. C. (1990). Effect of volatiles from garlic bulb extract on Fusarium a. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Mycological Research, 94(5), 617-620. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0953-7562(09)80662-X

28. Tattelman, E. (2005). Health effects of garlic. American Academy of Family Physicians, 72(1), 103 a. 106. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.490.3111&rep=rep1&type=pdf

29. Thomas-Singh, A. (2018). Garlic paste. My Heart Beets. Retrieved from a. https://myheartbeets.com/garlic-paste/

30. Trenbath, B. (1993). Intercropping for the management of pests and diseases. Field Crops Research, a. 34(34), 381-405. doi:10.1016/0378-4290(93)90123-5

31. Troittier, K. (2017). Replenishing food of wild animals to prevent crop damage. In M. a. Raizada (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Subsistence Farming Solutions (pp. 244). Manuscript in preparation. http://www.sakbooks.com/

32. United States Department of Agriculture. (2018). Basic Report: 11215, Garlic, raw. Retrieved a. from https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/11215?fgcd=&manu=&format=&count=&max=25&offset=&sort=default&order=asc&qlookup=garlic&ds=&qt=&qp=&qa=&qn=&q=&ing=

33. Wright, M. (2018). A Garlic Spray for Garden Pests. SF Gate. Retrieved from a. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/garlic-spray-garden-pests-22908.html