Cooking enthusiasts will often put garlic powder in a separate category from raw garlic. Garlic powder lacks the after-punch of spice that raw garlic will deliver when chewed, but the powder will still provide that signature savory garlicky taste. Additionally, raw garlic can be so potent that it can overpower more delicate and nuanced flavors over time. Garlic powder shines when you need convenience (think: dry rubs); want to maintain flavor complexity over time (think: herbal salad dressings); or consistency (think: mixing it mashed potatoes). Garlic powder is a pale yellow, clumpy powder. It has savory, almost nutty, flavor notes.