What Are The Methods of Processing Garlic?

Garlic, as a common and versatile seasoning ingredient, plays a significant role in home cooking and holds great potential for application in the food processing industry. What are the method of processing garlic? Depending on its intended use, garlic can be processed into various forms, such as garlic paste, garlic powder, garlic granules, and garlic slices, to meet the needs of different dishes, seasonings, and food industries. The processing methods vary depending on the product type, but generally include the following main steps:

1. Separating the cloves

The first step in processing garlic is usually to separate the whole head into individual cloves.

2. Peeling

Peeling is one of the key steps in garlic processing. For products that require the garlic to retain its original shape (such as garlic slices), mechanical peeling should be used to ensure that the surface of the garlic cloves remains intact and undamaged.

3. Slicing

If the product needs to be made into garlic slices or further dried into garlic powder, it is usually necessary to slice the garlic cloves into uniform thin slices. A slicing machine can ensure consistent thickness, which is conducive to uniform drying and prevents local browning or incomplete drying.

4. Grinding the paste

When making garlic paste, the peeled garlic is placed in a garlic grinder, which grinds the cloves into a smooth paste. Depending on the recipe, salt, oil, or other seasonings may be added to extend the shelf life and improve the taste.

5. Drying

Drying is a key step in the production of garlic powder, garlic granules, and garlic flakes. Peeled and sliced garlic is placed in a hot air dryer and dehydrated at the appropriate temperature and for the appropriate amount of time to preserve the aroma of the garlic and extend its shelf life.

6. Grinding and Grading

For garlic powder products, dried garlic slices are ground into fine powder using a crusher, then graded using a screening device to ensure that the particle size meets product specifications. Garlic granules are cut or crushed into granules after drying, making them suitable for use in seasoning mixes or ready-to-eat foods.

There are many different methods of processing garlic, and different product types vary in terms of processing methods, but the purpose is to enhance the flavor of garlic, extend its shelf life, and facilitate storage and use.