Garlic
Unearthed
As specialty vegetable experts, SupHerb Farms is taking you on an in-depth exploration of garlic—an allium treasured for its bold aroma and flavor. From its origin and nutritional value to agricultural practices, plant anatomy and cultivation, we cover it all. And we don’t stop there!
Dive into consumer insights, menu trends and culinary applications to discover how garlic continues to influence the way the world eats. Whether you’re a food scientist, sourcing manager, R&D chef, or food marketer in foodservice or food manufacturing, Garlic Unearthed delivers the garlic expertise and inspiration to fully harness all that garlic has to offer.
Get all this information in a handy PDF guide!
Garlic Facts
Archaeologists have identified clay pots and wall carvings depicting garlic in Egypt, dating back to 2500-3000 BC.
Preserved garlic specimens were found in Israel’s “Cave of the Treasure” in 3500-4000 BC.
In the olden days, garlic was forbidden amongst Buddhists because it was believed to excite the senses and disturb a peaceful mind.1
Scientific Name
Allium sativum
FLAVOR
Vibrant, pungent, hot and aromatic.
NATIVE ORIGIN
Central and South Asia
DESCRIPTION
A perennial flowering plant in the Allium family (onion, scallion, shallot, leek, chives).
NUTRIENTS
Raw garlic cloves are rich in potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and sulfur with moderate amounts of selenium, calcium, manganese, and iron.2
1. Jodo Shinshú, Pureland Buddhism Learning Center
2. USDA, FoodData Central, Garlic, Raw, April 2018.
Garlic in the Field
Allium Brief
Garlic is a specialty vegetable cultivated globally and is typically propagated by planting individual cloves. Hardneck garlic, which produces a flower stalk called a scape, has a more complex flavor and is better suited for colder climates, while softneck garlic, known for its milder taste, grows better in warmer regions.
IQF vs. Rehydrated (Jarred) Garlic
IQF = Individually Quick Frozen
FLAVOR & TEXTURE
CONVENIENCE
YIELD
SupHerb Farms Garlic Cultivation
Soil
Garlic thrives in well. draining soils with pH environments of 6-7. The soil in our growers’ garlic fields is meticulously managed to promote rapid root establishment and sustained growth throughout the growing season.
Climate
Garlic plants prefer cooler temperatures and do most of their growing, maturing, and transitioning in spring and early summer.
Water
Our garlic growers carefully monitor garlic fields to ensure optimal water usage. Too little water can stress garlic plants and too much water can cause bulb rot. The key is consistent moisture during bulb formation.
Garlic Intel
U.S. Consumer Data On Garlic
OPPORTUNITY 1
By incorporating more garlic-centric dishes and highlighting its presence in menu and product descriptions (e.g., “garlicky”), you can capitalize on its widespread popularity and boost customer satisfaction.
OPPORTUNITY 2
Garlic’s endless versatility—roasted, confit, seared, fried, caramelized, and more—offers a chance to innovate. Appeal to younger consumers by introducing unique and creative garlic flavors on your menu or in your food products.
Datassential 2024
Garlic on the Menu
U.S. Restaurant Data On Garlic
MENU TYPE
Ethnic
Non-Ethnic
MENU PENETRATION
2024
2028 (PROJECTED AVERAGE)
Menu Adoption Cycle
GARLICKY CONDIMENTS, DIPS, SAUCES & SALSAS
OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY
It’s no surprise that garlic, a prolific and ubiquitous ingredient in cuisines around the globe, is featured and specifically called out on 3 in 4 menus in the U.S.
Leveraging on-trend, globally inspired garlic-infused sauces, salsas, and condiments in new and different ways presents a significant opportunity for CPG manufacturers and foodservice establishments.
Sambal Shrimp Scampi
Datassential 2024
Garlic in Application
Cuisines That Historically Utilize Garlic
ASIA
Garlic is used extensively across Asia in a wide variety of applications from Chinese stir-fry to Korean marinades, Indonesian sambal, Japanese tare, Indian garlic-ghee and so much more.
AFRICA
Often sautéed with onions as a base, garlic is a fundamental ingredient across Africa and used in many traditional recipes, such as Moroccan tagines, West African jollof rice and Ethiopian doro wat.
CARIBBEAN
Extensively used to enhance the flavors of various dishes, often incorporating fragrant garlic into marinades, stews and sauces like Cuban mojo sauce.
MEDITERRANEAN
Garlic is a staple to all cuisines in the Mediterranean, such as Italian pasta sauces, Greek tzatziki, Spanish aioli and French herb-garlic butter sauces.
MIDDLE EAST
Garlic is an essential ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking, used in sauces like toum and zhug (s’chug), with meats, vegetables, legumes and beyond.
LATIN AMERICA
Garlic is a key ingredient in many traditional recipes, such as Mexican salsas, Argentine chimichurri and Peruvian ají de gallina.
Innovative, Garlic-Forward Dishes
Sambal Caramel Wings
Sambal is combined with caramel, IQF Minced Garlic and Ginger Puree for a sticky, flavorful wing sauce that offers a spicy kick!
Chicken S’chug & Sweet Potato Gyro
Warm pita bread is smeared with a Middle Eastern tzatziki made using Jalapeno Pesto (S’chug). Top with feta, chicken gyro meat, and sweet potato fries.
Mojo Cubano Sandwich
Seared pork tenderloin slices are tossed in Citrus Garlic Herb (Mojo), topped with sliced ham, Swiss cheese, and dill pickles on a crusty baguette, then pressed until golden brown.
Rooted in Care
SOWN, GROWN, DELIVERED
Looking for garlic ingredients and garlic-forward culinary products? Right this way… 
Spotlight Garlic Ingredients*
Signature Garlic Products
Farm fresh flavor made easy. Our specialty garlic ingredients streamline prep and add consistency.
FARM FRESH FLAVOR
TIME-SAVING
AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND
CONSISTENT QUALITY
Culinary Products Made with SupHerb Farms IQF Garlic
Culinary Blends
Flavorful and fully-prepped. Culinary Blends are your secret weapon for speedy prep.
Culinary Pastes
Bold and globally inspired. With dozens of ethnic flavors to choose from, Culinary Pastes
are the perfect products to help you seamlessly leverage global flavor trends.
VERSATILE
LABOR-SAVING
CHEF-CRAFTED
ON-TREND FLAVORS
CONSISTENT QUALITY
Culinary Sauces
Convenient and ready to use. Culinary Sauces are available in 1-lb. pouches that easily fit in squeeze bottles!
