What is a garlic press?
A garlic press is a handy kitchen tool that quickly and easily creates crushed garlic, even with unpeeled cloves. It can be said that without a good garlic press, there would be no such thing as garlicky pasta sauce, creamy mashed potatoes, or delicious roasted veggies.
Garlic presses come in many different shapes and sizes, but all of them work the same way. They consist of two plates-one larger than the other-that fit together like a book cover. The smaller plate is connected to a plunger which forces the cloves out of the heads in a new minced-type of puree state.
What is a garlic press used for?
A garlic press is used to quickly and almost effortlessly process a garlic clove or garlic pieces without the use of a knife. The same crushing process can be used for other harder herbs like ginger and turmeric.
For new and experienced cooks, this can save a lot of time. It turns fresh cloves of garlic, peeled or unpeeled, into minced garlic as it is pushed through the holes.
Helpful DIY shows you how to easily use a garlic press for all of your garlicky meals-
Using a garlic press’ crushing motion can work even if you don’t take the skin off the clove of garlic. What many find is that with a garlic press handy, they are more apt to add garlic to more recipes because it takes the peeling and chopping out of the preparation.
The good garlic presses have a built-in cleaner that makes it easier to scoop out every last bit of newly made garlic paste from the holding area.
To take this one step further, using a garlic press on a regular basis and developing the habit could encourage more garlic consumption and, arguably, better health!
Is using a garlic press the same as mincing?
At first glance, pressing garlic cloves or garlic pieces and mincing it are similar. Mincing involves more tools: a knife and a cutting board, and often good knife skills.
If you don’t have good knife skills developed yet, using a garlic press is encouraged. Also, if your knife skills leave something to be desired, it will be a slow process to get the garlic into small enough crushed garlic pieces. The garlic press will allow you to breeze through the process quickly.
The health benefits of garlic
Garlic is one of the most popular spices in the world, and for good reason. It has a host of benefits that include:
1. Boosting Your Immune System
Garlic has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, which help the body fight off infections. Studies have also shown that garlic can boost the production of white blood cells, which are crucial for a strong immune system.
2. Reducing Inflammation
Garlic contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, which is beneficial for people with conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and allergies.
3. Fighting Heart Disease
Garlic has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease by several means. It can lower blood pressure, prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, and help regulate cholesterol levels. All of these benefits contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
4. Improving Digestion
Garlic can help stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, which can improve digestion and absorption of nutrients. Additionally, garlic has prebiotic properties, which means that it helps feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut, contributing to a healthier gut microbiome.
5. Preventing Cancer
Studies have shown that garlic may help prevent certain types of cancer, including stomach and colorectal cancers. Garlic’s anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to boost the immune system, are thought to be responsible for these benefits.
6. Managing Blood Sugar Levels
Garlic has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It does this by increasing insulin sensitivity, which allows cells to use glucose more efficiently. This benefit is particularly important for people with type 2 diabetes, as it can help manage their condition and prevent complications.
7. Supporting Skin Health
Garlic’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it beneficial for skin health.
Some studies have even shown that garlic can help improve the appearance of acne-prone skin.
Regarding how garlic helps improve the digestion process, studies have shown that consuming garlic before meals helps digest food faster and better. In addition to helping break down certain foods inside your gut.
Garlic also contains allicin, which is known to stimulate the production of stomach acid. Together, these two factors make garlic a powerful ally when it comes to breaking down food in your digestive tract.
Crushed, chopped or whole garlic is a fantastic addition to any meal as it has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. It’s a great way to add flavor and nutrition to any dish.
It seems that there really is no meal that crushed garlic can’t improve, here are some delicious inspirations!
To learn about purple garlic:
To learn about the healing power of garlic oil:
Is it worth getting a garlic press?
Ask someone who has a garlic press if they are happy they have it. They will likely say “Yes!” It makes adding garlic to any and all so easy.
It allows the kids to be more involved in helping to make the garlic bread, the sauce and more. It saves time, and produces a consistent and reliable end result each and every time.
Make sure you pick a garlic press with a large capacity garlic chamber. This will ensure that you can put enough cloves in there to get the desired amount of pressed garlic with one or two crushing motions.
When you finish using the crusher on your garlic, use the cleaning tool to get each bit of garlic paste out of the tool. Most all garlic presses are dishwasher-safe, too, so they make clean-up a breeze.
What are the 3 best quality garlic presses available on Amazon?
After careful research and consideration, we have identified the three best garlic presses available on Amazon.
1. Zulay Kitchen Garlic Press
- With soft, easy to squeeze ergonomic handle
What we love about Zulay garlic press:
- Ergonomic design
- Sturdy, rubber grips
- Lifetime warranty
- Dishwasher safe
- Highly rated on Amazon
2. OXO Good Grips Soft- Handled Garlic Press
What we love about OXO garlic press:
- Built in cleaner filters out peels
- Sturdy grip handles
- Large capacity garlic chamber to fit multiple cloves
- Dishwasher safe
- Highly rated on Amazon
3. Mempedont Garlic Press Mincer
- 304 stainless steel garlic crusher
- Doubles as a peeler
- Detachable, heavy duty rust proof design
- For extracts
- Get more garlic paste per clove
What we love about Mempedont garlic press:
- Press and peeler included
- Easy to squeeze
- Fine pressed garlic
- Press comes in 3 sizes. (Get large for more garlic pressed per squeeze!)
- Durable and dishwasher safe
- Highly rated on Amazon
Here is a 1minute video demonstration from ZeekZilch on how they use a garlic press:
Concluding thoughts on a good garlic press and the fabulous meals you can make with it
In conclusion, a good garlic press is a valuable tool that can significantly uplevel your cooking game. With the right garlic press, you can quickly and easily mince garlic, adding flavor and aroma to your dishes without the hassle of chopping by hand.
The three garlic presses we’ve highlighted in this article are all excellent options that offer different features to suit various needs and preferences. Whether you’re a professional chef or an aspiring home cook, investing in a high-quality garlic press can take your culinary creations to the next level.
Sources and additional reading
- “The versatility of garlic in cooking” by Food Network – https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/garlic
- “The Health Benefits of Garlic and How to Use It in Your Cooking” by Healthline – https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-garlic
- “10 Clever Garlic Uses You Haven’t Tried Yet” by Taste of Home – https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/things-you-didnt-know-you-could-do-with-garlic/
- “Garlic in the Kitchen” by Bon Appetit – https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/garlic-cooking-tips
- “How to Make Garlic Oil for Cooking and More” by The Spruce Eats – https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-make-garlic-oil-4684579
- “Garlic Bread Recipes That Will Change Your Life” by Delish – https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/g2760/garlic-bread-recipes/
- “How To Roast Garlic And Use It In Your Cooking” by HuffPost – https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-roast-garlic_n_5b7128fbe4b0530743cd78b0
The links used on thewellthieone.com are affiliate links, which may provide a small commission. This does not increase the price of the goods for the consumer whatsoever. What it does is ensure that useful content like this can continue to be produced. Thank-you for enjoying our content and allowing us to continue to provide more.
