The popularity of sourdough in recent years has led to a rise in awareness about the advantages of the beneficial bacteria in fermented foods. During the fermentation process, natural yeasts and beneficial bacteria work together to convert carbohydrates and other compounds into lactic acid, which gives fermented foods and beverages their distinctive “sour” taste. In addition, fermentation helps preserve the nutrients in food for longer periods of time, increases its shelf-life, and makes it easier for our bodies to digest.
Less well-known, but with some of the same amazing properties as sourdough starters, garlic fermented in honey has become increasingly popular as well. Many people are put off by the intimidating sourdough process. Is fermented honey garlic more approachable? As a matter of fact, it’s quite simple to make this healthy and nutritious condiment.
Nine years ago, I started fermenting cabbage, pickles and beets, but I was always searching for more resources, inspiration and information on the world of fermenting. About two years into the process, I came across a nondescript article about something called “fermented honey garlic.” Could this be the recipe I was searching for? I was certainly intrigued. My search on the web didn’t reveal much useful information. I love the challenge of experimenting in the kitchen so I decided to explore on my own. After looking up basic instructions, I pulled out my mason jars, raw honey, and garlic cloves and I was ready to go. Before long, I had fermented the garlic and honey and was thrilled with the results! Since that first time, fermented garlic honey has become a staple condiment in our house. In fact, when we moved six years ago, I stored a jar of fermented honey on a high shelf to put it out of the way. It was a few years later when I came across the jar again, and we used it with no issue at all.
So how simple is it to make fermented honey? You may be surprised to learn that garlic can be rather easily fermented in raw honey, and the fermentation process creates a delicious product that is a nutritional powerhouse, especially useful for the cold winter! Let’s explore the procedure for fermenting garlic in honey, the health benefits that result, and how to best store the end product.
Honey has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties have been well documented in medical literature. Raw honey contains high levels of powerful antioxidants and can bolster the immune system. Local raw honey, which hasn’t been pasteurized or processed, is especially favorable, as it contains pollen from local plants that can aid in fighting allergies. In order to preserve the natural enzymes and nutrients in raw honey, you should use it for this recipe. Pasteurized honey loses many of its natural advantageous properties and is not as nutritious as raw honey. One nice perk is that unlike regular unpasteurized honey which contains natural yeasts that can produce botulism, fermented honey has a lower sugar content and is safe to consume.
Similarly, raw garlic is also touted for its health benefits. Garlic cloves contain powerful compounds such as allicin, which is known to fight off infection and reduce inflammation. Garlic cloves are rich in many vitamins and minerals including magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, selenium, and manganese. Garlic is also high in vitamins A and C, which are both important for boosting the immune system. Eating garlic can help support the immune system and prevent sickness, even more so when combined with raw honey.
Fermented honey garlic is a condiment that gets its flavor and nutrition profile from the process of fermenting the raw honey and garlic. The fermentation process increases the potency of honey’s health benefits by activating enzymes that weren’t available in its raw form. Fermented honey preserves the natural yeast, allowing it to serve as a probiotic and support gut health. As for the garlic, although you may have doubts about eating raw garlic cloves, the process of fermenting the garlic in honey makes them not only more palatable, but they are transformed into an immune-boosting condiment. Think of it as sauerkraut’s tastier cousin!
You may be wondering, what can fermented honey do for you? The natural sugars in both ingredients feed the growth of beneficial bacteria, producing organic acids, enzymes and probiotics that can help improve your overall health. It can help to stimulate digestion, boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, improve skin health, and even assist in weight loss. Fermented honey garlic is a powerhouse of nutrition, providing essential vitamins and minerals for optimal health.
Ingredients for Fermented Honey
So what ingredients do you need to make fermented honey? The recipe is as basic as it gets: raw, whole garlic cloves and raw, unpasteurized honey. Raw honey and garlic both offer numerous health benefits on their own, and when combined in a fermented honey-garlic mix, they become even more potent. Read on to find out how to make this amazing, immune-boosting condiment at home!
After fermenting, the honey garlic can be used in a variety of recipes for added flavor and nutrition. The honey has a subtle, savory garlic flavor, while the garlic mellows out and takes on a sweet flavor from the honey. How can you use your fermented honey garlic? There are a myriad of possibilities. Swallow a spoonful as soon as you start to feel under the weather or someone in your household is sick, to help stave off the viral germs. Alternatively, it can be added to warm water for a sweet and healthy tea. Use the honey and/or garlic as a salad dressing, whisked together with some olive oil, acid (such as lemon or vinegar), and salt. Crush the garlic and shmear on fresh bread. Drizzle the honey over toast or baked fish. Or, just eat it by the spoonful– it’s that good!🙂
When making fermented honey garlic, it’s important to use a glass jar, (organic) garlic, and unpasteurized to ensure the most health benefits. You’ll want to plan a bit in advance, since it will take about three weeks for your fermented honey to be ready to use. Once the honey has fermented, be sure to leave some space at the top of the jar for air circulation while being stored. For optimal flavor, shelf-life and nutritional value, store the jar at room temperature, in a dark place, for up to three months.
Fermented Honey Garlic
Servings
Ingredients
- 2-3 bulbs Fresh garlic cloves
- 3 cups Raw honey
- 1 qt Clean glass jar
Instructions
- Peel the garlic cloves and add them to the glass jar.
- Completely cover the garlic with raw honey.
- Place the jar in a dark place at room temperature.
- After a day or two the honey will begin to transform and have a more liquid consistency. That’s normal.
- You should see bubbles rising to the top. That’s a sure sign that the fermentation process is happening!
- Every 2-3 days, open the lid to “burp” (let the air out from) the jar.
- Continue this process for 1-3 weeks before using. Once it is fully fermented, you won’t need to “burp” the jar.
- The garlic will float to the surface. As long as the garlic is fully coated with honey it should be ok.
- It’s important to keep the garlic submerged in the honey. It helps if you turn the jar upside down.
- This fermented honey garlic can last for many months, and even longer, if stored properly.
I’m intrested in doing this but how often should I take it one else it’s ready to use and do you need just one clove for therapeutic results ! I honestly could benefit from all of the benefits it’s suggesting for use!
We don’t eat it daily but rather use it in salad dressings, tea, to top our pizza etc… Also as soon as we feel onset of any icky feeling we would take a spoonful of the honey or crush the garlic and eat it.
All is going well here with the garlic and honey . I love both so can’t wait it smells so good after storing it a min I get most of it off the spoon and then taste it I love this !!!Thanks for sharing it with us !
I’m so happy to hear this Linda, my family loves it as well! We use it as a dressing with olive oil sometimes.
I was given a jar of fermented honey/garlic a few days ago, and I put it in the refrigerator. Should I leave it in there or take it out?
(Thank you for this very informative article. I want to make my own now.)
The honey does not need to be refrigerated but is ok if it is. I store mine at room temp for several months..
Do you tighten the lid when refrigerating after fermentation?
Hi Angelia, The first few weeks I close it tight but make sure to burp it every few days.
Once it’s done the fermentation process (approx 4-6 weeks) you can close it tight and store in the fridge.
Do you recommend storing it in the refrigerator or in a cool, dark place?
Hi Patti,
You can store it in a cool dark place, it should last for months.
Hi can you eat a garlic clove daily and save the honey syurp for when you feel a cold coming on or do I eat a spoonful of the honey syrup with the garlic. Is it safe to eat everyday during these winter months? And how long did you say let ferment until ready to eat?
You can eat it daily or just when you feel run down. Usually I let it ferment for at least 2-3 weeks before I use it.
I started my first pint jar full October 2022. Started it cause I learned from someone who has Lupus, that she uses it daily to help reduce the inflammation and pain caused from her disease. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis along with Fibromyalgia so my body is filled with high levels of inflammation and the pain is real. After 4 months of fermentation I used it a few times when I was in a bad flare and it seemed to really help, but it wasnt long I forgot about it.
Two months later, Canada seemed to be on fire and smoke seeped to our Maryland mountiand and was choking me out. I have bad asthma and bad allergies. My Immunologist and Allergist have me on 12 meds to keep them under control and I have done maxed out on them and drs are pushing for me to start biologics, which will cost me $900 after insurance covers their part. Anyways, asthma flared real bad none of my meds was working, I was even over using them and it barely helped. I couldnt take deep breaths, felt like suffocating, and coukdntblay down to sleep cause I couldnt breath. Plus it was a weekend so no dr visit. I had done tried and exhausted all I had to help, then I remembered the fermented garlic in honey. I went to the kitchen and ate the bighest clove I could dig out plus a tbsp of the honey. Thirty mins later I was taking deep breaths, coughing up the phlem, and soon fell asleep laying down. After that I have continued to use daily. I did miss 3 days once and my asthma and all flared again. Needless to say i dont forget it anymore!
Not only that, i have been able to decrease my meds. I now only use 3 pills a day. My immunologist and allergist are amazed, they redid breathingbtest and I am doing exceptionally well. Told me to keep it up so long as it continues to work and let then know if I need anything. Also they and their nurses wanted the directions on how to make and use it, so they can have it on hand for their families too. Oh and also, I have a condotion called Chronic Spontaneous Uticaria its spontaneous hives that can get serious, I havent had to take my meds for it since I started this, immunologist was also wanting a biologic for it too. Now no biologics are needed and my meds have decresed or stopped all together.
Wow amazing! I am so glad to hear how this helped you, thank you so much for sharing your journey.
Hi I was wondering how often do you the take garlic? Do you eat a glove and a little bit of the honey? Do you normally take it daily or as needed? Would the amount you take vary from Adult to child (4 year old)?
Hi Beth Ann,
We usually take it as soon as we start feeling tingly throat etc… We eat the garlick with honey.
During the winter months I also like to incoporate the honey in dishes like salad dressing and toasts for extra boost of nutrients.
Hi Sarah, I received your recipe from a friend who swears by it! I love honey and garlic, so this is a win-win for me, especially if it does for me what others are saying it does for them!
A question though, have you ever heard of someone making this and adding ginger to it as well? Seems I have heard of that, but just wanted your opinion.
Thank you again and all those who left comments, very helpful!
Hi Mary, thank you for the kind words. Yes I have also made it with ginger and it’s absolutely delicious (and healing). You would do the same thing only add sliced ginger as well.
Hi,
Thank you for this amazing website! Can I use a regular ball jar with the stainless steel cover to make the fermented honey & garlic, or do I need a special tight cover?
Hi Peri,
Yes you can use the stainless steel cover for this.
Can you use prepeeled garlic cloves or does it need to be fresh from the bulb
I prefer to peel my own garlic so I know its’s fresh and clean.. I wouldn’t use the pre-peeled garlic since it may harbor bacteria…