Taste-Off: The best minced garlic at local markets — and the horrible jars to avoid

Some call it an insult to cooking, an unthinkable ingredient no serious cook would ever stock in their kitchen. Those would be the haters of jarred garlic. Point taken. It’s not fresh, and it’s not the same.

But in defense of the beleaguered product, a whole lot of great cooks would simply never be without a good jar of garlic in the fridge. It might not be the right pick for a sauté or a dish where garlic is the star, but it’s a mess-free option that works well in sauces, stews, marinades and more.

Purists will argue that garlic, by nature, begins to lose flavor within minutes of being sliced or crushed. Garlic in jars is not only pre-cut, but partly cooked in the pasteurizing process, then hit with a preservative that allows it to keep for months in the fridge — but further alters the flavor.

Versions that contain phosphoric acid, a common ingredient in sodas, can taste citrusy; those preserved with citric acid can be quite sour. And garlic packaged with a list of preservatives can taste like a mouthful of chemicals.

That said, plenty of brands get it right, producing jars filled with intense, spicy garlic that’s been chopped, crushed or minced, then packed in either oil or water, ready to fill in for any recipe, with 1/2 a teaspoon equal to one garlic clove.

Great jarred garlic tastes pungent and fresh, with aromas that deliver at least some of the heat of a freshly-sliced clove. Both the amount of preservatives and processing time are minimal, allowing the authentic garlic flavor to shine.

Here’s the scoop on the brands that can almost pass for fresh — and the ones to avoid. As garlic has trace nutritional value, nutrition details are not included here.

Chef Cuisine Minced Garlic

This jar of dry, fine-cut bits of garlic are pungent, hot, spicy and crunchy — as close to fresh-minced as it gets. This is a great stand-in when fresh cloves are not available or when time is an issue. $2.49 for 4.5 ounces at Grocery Outlet. (4 stars)

Raley’s Minced Garlic in Water

The crunchy bits in this jar don’t have a lot of aroma, but when you bite into them, they deliver a mouthful of fresh garlic flavor. $2.55 for 8 ounces. (3½ stars)

Kirkland Signature Minced Garlic

While a spoonful of this massive jar of bargain-priced, minced garlic grown in the U.S. isn’t nearly as intense as fresh-minced, it has enough flavor to satisfy — just be sure to drain off the sour liquid first. $6.99 for 48 ounces at Costco. (3 stars)

Spice World Minced Garlic

Winning hits of heat and spice, plus a pleasantly crispy texture, push this close to the top. Cut the acid, and it would be even better. $2.45 for 4.5 ounces at Raley’s. (3 stars)

Seggiano Minced Organic Italian Garlic

The addition of vinegar, salt and lemon juice in this Italian import make this more of a condiment than a cooking ingredient. Because it’s so mild, it would work well in cold dishes. $6.99 for 5.29 ounces at Whole Foods. (2½ stars)

Christopher Ranch Crushed Garlic

Those looking for a lively punch of garlic will love this California brand. It has a bitter note that’s reminiscent of orange peel, but the garlic is intense enough to bring flavor to long-cooked dishes. $2.99 for 9 ounces at FoodMaxx. (2½ stars)

Polaner Crushed Garlic Premium White

This yellow paste has a sweet, vegetal aroma and delivers an earthy, roasted flavor that would work well in stews, but it is noticeably sweet.  $8.99 for 25 ounces at Smart & Final. (2 stars)

Emperor’s Kitchen Organic Chopped Garlic

The distinct apple note in this super-white, imported heirloom garlic is odd, but the bits of garlic taste fresh and hit the right notes. It’s very mild, but tasty. $7.39 for 4.5 ounces at Whole Foods. (2 stars)

Great Value Minced Garlic

In a pinch, this might do. The sweet roasted flavor is far from fresh, but the soft mashable texture would be a plus in sauces. $2.34 for 8 ounces at Walmart. (1½ stars)

Trader Joe’s Minced Garlic in Water

This could stand in for roasted garlic, but there’s nothing fresh about these light brown bits floating in sour water. $2.49 for 8 ounces. (1½ stars)

Raley’s Minced Garlic in Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The large bits of white garlic look fresh, but they have shockingly little garlic flavor, and the oil tastes old. $2.55 for 4.5 ounces. (1 star)

Sunny Select Minced Garlic in Water

A punch of sweetness and no garlic bite make this an unfortunate choice. It tastes more like soy sauce than garlic. $2.99 for 8 ounces at FoodMaxx. (½ a star)

First Street Chopped Garlic in Olive Oil

So bitter! This milky jar of diced garlic swimming in a watery bath not only looks unappetizing, it tastes like chemicals. $7.99 for 32 ounces at Smart & Final. (No stars)

Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.com. Read more Taste-off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.