Black Garlic-Infused Greek EVOO: How Our Flavour Experiment Began

The struggle between eating food that tastes good and choosing ingredients you feel good about should not be much of a struggle at all. Like you, we want meals that leave our taste buds asking for more, not meals we have to talk ourselves into finishing.

That was the idea behind one of our early experiments at Ilias and Sons: Black Garlic-Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or EVOO.

“Needs more garlic.” Sound familiar?

Food lovers know what garlic and olive oil can bring to a meal. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard someone say under their breath at a restaurant, “Needs more garlic,” or, “Not enough olive oil.”

Putting the two together felt like a no-brainer. If they were the missing ingredients in so many meals, why not bring their flavours together in a bottle and make it easier?

Black garlic gave that familiar pairing a different personality: naturally sweet, deeply savoury and full of umami, with roasted, molasses-like and balsamic-like notes.

From a family experiment to early Ottawa support

We came across black garlic while researching ingredients alongside our EVOO. Once we learned more about its flavour and the interest in its composition, we decided to try the two together.

One taste told us it was a must-mix, and that we needed to make a lot more.

Our friends and family agreed. So did our friends at Organic Box. In the early days described in this article, their enthusiasm helped word get around. Our original account recorded how the experiment grew into a bestseller at several Ottawa vendors.

That encouragement is an important part of the story. It was not just about creating a new oil; it was about sharing something we loved and seeing other people find a place for it in their kitchens.

What makes Black Garlic EVOO different?

Our Gourmet Black Garlic Infused Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil combines Greek EVOO with the sweet, savoury character of aged black garlic. It offers depth without the sharpness associated with raw garlic.

Black garlic develops its dark colour and flavour through controlled ageing. That processing changes its composition as well as its taste, which is one reason it continues to attract research interest.

Research interest, with the right context

Our original article repeated broad claims about cancer, infections and disease prevention. We have refreshed that section because ingredient research does not establish those benefits for our finished infusion.

A 2023 controlled human trial examined an optimised aged black garlic extract in people with Grade I hypertension who were receiving medication. It reported modest blood-pressure reductions over 12 weeks. The study used a specified extract, not culinary black garlic EVOO.

Read the aged black garlic extract trial.

Whole black garlic, concentrated extracts and infused oil have different compositions. A vitamin or compound found in the whole ingredient cannot automatically be claimed for a serving of oil without finished-product measurements.

For a fuller discussion, read our Black Garlic and Greek EVOO research guide and polyphenol testing guide.

Put the flavour to work

The quickest way to understand the appeal is to try it with food. A light drizzle can bring a new dimension to a familiar dish.

• Finish roasted mushrooms, potatoes or seasonal vegetables.
• Add depth to pasta, risotto, soups or beans.
• Pair with balsamic vinegar for a dressing or bread dip.
• Use in a savoury marinade or as a finishing touch on pizza.

For customers considering low-FODMAP cooking, visit the product page and our garlic oil guide. Guidance for infused oil should not automatically be applied to whole black garlic bulbs or cloves.

The same simple idea, years later

We wanted to make good food taste even better. That first black garlic experiment became a way to share Greek olive oil, a distinctive ingredient and a little kitchen curiosity with our community.

The early Organic Box story remains part of our history. For current local shopping options, visit Where to Find Us and check each retailer's selection.

When you are ready, have a taste of our Black Garlic EVOO. You may find yourself asking the same question we did: why hadn't we put these flavours together sooner?