Storing garlic correctly is a great way to make sure your food always tastes great. Most of us just drop it in a bag but that is not helpful. Garlic needs air to stay fresh so keep it out of closed spaces. A dry shelf in your kitchen is often a perfect spot for it. Doing this might help your garlic stay fresh for a while.
Keep It Out Of The Fridge
It is usually a good idea to keep whole garlic in a cupboard. Putting it in the fridge can make it sprout way too early. The cold makes the plant think it is growing season. You might notice the cloves getting bitter if they stay in the cold.
Give It Some Air
Garlic stays better when it is not trapped in a bag. Airtight spaces make the bulbs damp and they can start to decay. Mold grows easily when there is no air. Using a mesh bag or a bowl keeps the garlic much fresher.
Choose A Cool Dark Spot
Find a spot for your garlic that stays away from any bright light. A kitchen drawer or a dark shelf works nicely. You want to keep it away from warm areas like the heater. This helps the cloves stay fresh and ready for your meals.
Leave The Skin On
You should leave the thin skin on your garlic until you start cooking. This dry layer helps keep the cloves fresh by blocking the air. If you peel it too early the garlic might dry out. It stays much better when you just leave it alone.
Use A Basket and Mesh Bag
Try a wire basket or a mesh bag to keep your garlic bulbs fresh. These items let air flow around the garlic which is usually helpful for storage. You can also use an open paper bag instead. Air movement helps the garlic stay nice and firm.
Avoid The Freezer For Whole Bulbs
Freezing whole raw garlic bulbs usually changes the texture and makes them quite mushy once they finally thaw out. It is much better to keep them at room temperature unless you have already prepped the garlic into specific portions for cooking.
Store Peeled Cloves Carefully
Keep peeled garlic pieces in a tight container inside the cold fridge. This helps them stay good to eat. You should try to use them up in a day or two. Without the skin the garlic starts to lose its punchy taste pretty quickly.
Try Freezing Minced Garlic
Try dicing garlic and mixing it with oil inside an ice tray. Putting these in the freezer helps them last a long time. It is a simple way to get your cooking done faster. You can just grab a cube and start heating up your meal.
Keep It Away From Potatoes
You should move your garlic away from the potatoes today. Potatoes release certain gases that can make garlic grow sprouts. Putting them in separate areas helps keep things fresh. This is a very simple way to help your vegetables last a lot longer.
Check For Spouts Regularly
Make sure you touch your garlic to see if it feels solid. You should look for green stems growing from the cloves. If you find a sprout just cut it away before you start cooking. This simple step helps your recipes taste much better and less bitter.
