Good Stuff Simple Swap: Cleaner Garlic Choices!
🌿 The Good Stuff Simple Swaps – Every Wednesday I share a new Good Stuff Simple Swap, one simple change that helps clean up your everyday eats without overhauling your whole pantry. You can find all the swaps here!
The “Rotten” Truth About Your Garlic
I know I’ve been talking about it plenty-but it’s garlic planting season, so let’s talk more about garlic!
If you’ve seen the “Rotten” episode on Netflix about garlic, you already know the deal. A massive portion of the world’s garlic supply is grown in conditions that would shock most home cooks. Most of the garlic sold in stores isn’t actually grown here, even when the label says “Produced in the USA.” Usually, that just means it was chopped or packaged domestically, not actually grown in our soil.
China supplies about 80–90% of the world’s garlic, and that is where the most significant concerns have been documented—including the use of sewage water for irrigation, chemical bleaching to make the bulbs look “pretty,” and even prison labor.
The “Extra Ick” Factor: The docuseries highlights a truly disturbing detail about pre-peeled garlic: when prisoners are forced to peel garlic by hand, the natural acids in the cloves eventually wear down their fingernails. To keep up with production, they often end up peeling the cloves with their teeth. This same garlic gets shipped to the USA and processed into those “convenient” jars of minced garlic or prepackaged cloves. For our family, that is a hard pass.
The Swap: Choose USA Grown or Grow Your Own!
The easiest swap? Stick with garlic that is confirmed to be grown right here in the USA. Or, even better-grow your own! Garlic is one of the easiest things to plant. It doesn’t take much room; you simply stick a clove in the ground in the fall and pull up a full bulb next summer. It is low effort with a massive, flavorful payoff.
Where to Find the “Good Stuff”
Finding full transparency can be tricky, but look for natural colors (not bleached) and long roots as positive signs. Here are a few reliable options for USA-grown garlic:
- The Garlic Company: A leader in domestic production.
- Spice World: Look specifically for their “USA Grown” line—just double-check the label, as they carry imported options too!
- Mad River Garlic Growers: A fantastic smaller USA grower in Ohio that sells directly to consumers.
If you’re ready to try growing your own, I got my first bulbs from Keene Organics. I keep some of my harvest back every year to replant in the fall, so you should only have to buy your “seed” once!
Common Questions About Garlic (FAQ)
Is jarred minced garlic as healthy as fresh?
While convenient, jarred garlic is often processed with preservatives and phosphoric acid to extend shelf life. Fresh garlic contains higher levels of allicin, the compound responsible for most of its health-related perks.
How can I tell if my garlic is from China?
Look at the bottom of the bulb. If the roots are completely scooped out (leaving a clean, white concave spot), it’s likely imported and treated. USA-grown garlic usually still has the hair-like roots attached.
Does garlic really help with health?
Garlic has been used for centuries to support the immune system. It is known for its natural antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and studies have linked it to supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
When is the best time to plant garlic?
In most regions, fall is the best time (usually October or November). This allows the roots to establish before the ground freezes, leading to a big harvest in mid-summer!
You can find all the past swaps here and don’t forget to check back next Wednesday for the next Good Stuff Simple Swap!
