Black garlic powder is a humble ingredient stemming out of Korean cuisine that’s quickly taken the culinary world by storm. An intermittent storm, admittedly, as its rather unique flavor is still being explored by chefs and home cooks alike. After all, what do you use it for?

Or, first, what is black garlic?

The process for creating black garlic requires fermenting whole bulbs of garlic at high temperatures for extended periods of time. The garlic is then cooled on racks and allowed to air dry for another week or so. The result is a obsidian clove that’s significantly sweeter and with a mellow and meltingly savory garlic flavor. The texture is squishy and soft, often similar to a gummy candy that you left sitting in a hot car. The flavor is tangy and sweet; think balsamic vinegar with a hint of soy sauce, or tamarind dipped in molasses.