The surprising potential of garlic — in conversation with Nick Diamantopoulos, from Australian Garlic Producers
We chat with Nick Diamantopoulos, from Australian Garlic Producers, a guru with a passion for garlic and a vision for the Australian industry
What attracted you to work with garlic?
When we started growing 30 years ago we were excited by the challenge of being the first to grow garlic in Australia that is not only of the highest quality but at a scale that would make it accessible to all Australians. Given our incredible country and its pristine environment, we felt sure this would be achievable but selecting the best garlic varieties, finding ideal growing conditions has proven to be an amazing and epic journey.
More than 95% of the garlic in Australia was imported and we saw this as a great opportunity for import replacement and to create a local garlic industry.
What is the vision behind Australian Garlic supplements?
Garlic is an ancient food and traditional medicine used for thousands of years and is arguably the “original” superfood. Used by generations for its natural beneficial properties, we knew that by selecting our finest Australian Garlic and using our patented activation and extraction process, we could harness natures goodness to create our proprietary ingredient, SupaG™.
The last step is to encapsulate SupaG™ in soft Vegan capsules to become our High Potency, Low Odour SupaGarlic™ supplements. In recent years there has a lot of discussion around new superfoods in the marketplace and we wanted to reintroduce “the original” superfood to all Australians and the world.
We wanted to inform the world that Australia produces the best garlic supplements on the planet and to prove via research and clinical studies that garlic offers Immunity Support, Respiratory Relief, Cardio & Heart Health and general Health & Wellbeing. As well as produce both over the counter (OTC) and prescription garlic products sold worldwide.
How is Australian garlic different?
Australian garlic is fresher since we harvest several varieties over a 4 to 5-month window. In many other countries, that window is only 3-4 weeks. Australia has for many years been recognized as a ‘clean and green’ nation with minimal pollution compared to other countries, which helps create an environment conducive to the rich soil conditions and temperatures required to grow the best garlic in the world. Australian garlic is grown to the most stringent food safety standards, making it not only delicious and great for your health but sought after the world over.
How is garlic important to the Australian industry?
There has recently been a great deal of publicity in much of Australia’s press regarding the importation of vegetables, particularly garlic. Issues range from pesticide and chemical residues, poorer quality, bleaching with chlorine for better shelf-life and appearance, and other health concerns.
The development of an Australian garlic industry will contribute to regional employment opportunities, as well as social and environmental sustainability.
Being 100% home-grown, Australian Garlic not only delivers a product to the Australian consumer that is completely free from harmful chemicals, but in doing so we promote growth in the local economy through providing regional employment opportunities. Our commitment to environmental sustainability and maintaining our beautiful countryside is also very important to us as a company.
Garlic has also been long recognised for its health benefits. We’ve been able to harness that through our patented extraction process and deliver a product that is literally as easy to take as swallowing a small capsule. Oh, and there’s minimal odour!
What is garlic, and what does it do for our health?
Garlic is a powerful antioxidant that has proven benefits in promoting a healthy immune system and supporting heart function. It also has been shown to alleviate respiratory tract congestion, mucous and some of the symptoms of the common cold. It is also great for one’s general health and wellbeing.
What is a common misconception around garlic?
That it keeps Vampires away…..though that’s a good thing too!
Not all garlic is created equal. Much of the garlic used in supplements and some fresh garlic use inferior sourced garlic. Many countries grow quality garlic but if you want the purest and freshest then you should insist on Australian garlic. Farm grown and harvested right here in Australia.
There is also a common misconception that you get the same natural benefits from cooking with garlic. The health benefits come from eating it fresh………or simply have a SupaGarlic Soft Capsule, which is the equivalent of a fresh garlic clove!
What is your favourite garlic dish?
Roast garlic lamb and rosemary with roasted vegies – with Dijonnaise mustard and Aioli dip on the side.
Where is Australian SupaG™ heading for the near future?
Our goal is to promote the many positive benefits of Garlic as arguably “the original superfood”, which has been used in Western herbal medicine for thousands of years. Unfortunately, many prescription and pharmaceutical medicines are produced using synthetic compounds which can often cause side effects.
Australian SupaGarlic is a natural phytochemical and uses our SupaG™ proprietary ingredient which is packed with natural antioxidants to help maintain a healthy immune system and support healthy heart function. It also relieves the severity of congestion of mild upper respiratory tract infections and common cold symptoms. That’s a lot of benefits for a humble little plant.
What are the benefits and major Points of Difference (POD) for the Australian SupaGarlic supplements?
SupaGarlic is the only concentrate of its type that is 100% made from Australian-grown garlic. It is listed as a “complementary Medicine” on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. Scientifically, it is the most potent garlic oil of its type in the world, delivering all the health benefits of the naturally occurring oils in the garlic without any pesticides, chemical treatment or bleaching. It is 100% non-GMO, vegan, free from wheat, gluten, yeast, eggs, dairy, nuts, corn, shellfish and contains absolutely no artificial colours or sweeteners. It is about as natural a superfood as you can get.
