An essential condiment in the kitchen, garlic enhances most of our dishes and gives them such a delicious flavour. It’s hard to do without it! But where do you usually store it? Because it only takes a bad storage to foolishly waste it and make it unfit for consumption. It would be a shame, wouldn’t it? Especially since it is perfectly possible to keep it fresh for several months! How? With these very useful little tips.
How to preserve garlic for longer?
Are you worried that it will germinate too quickly? So remember that the ideal temperature for storing garlic is around 10°C. You can keep it for almost 6 months in the cellar or in a ventilated place but protected from light. Therefore, you must pay attention to temperature fluctuations that risk accelerating its germination. Unfortunately, it will no longer be usable at that point. To enjoy it for as long as possible, here are the best storage methods.
How to store garlic in a jar?
Usually, to properly preserve fruit and vegetables, it is advisable to line the refrigerator drawer with bubble wrap to prolong their freshness. But this technique is not enough for garlic. If you store it in the refrigerator with other vegetables, it will not prevent it from sprouting . Keep in mind that its germination is faster when stored in a place that is too humid. And on the other hand, if the environment is too dry, it begins to shrink and dry out. So how can we avoid this process of degradation and preserve its unique aroma? There is no need to look for very sophisticated methods. The advice on the jar is brilliant and very simple to apply: take a small airtight glass jar and put some rice at the bottom. Divide the garlic into several cloves and place them directly in the jar. And there you have it, the rice will immediately prevent excess moisture: your garlic will stay fresh and aromatic for longer.
Add vegetable oil
Another good tip: use a soft brush to apply a little oil to each head of garlic. For one litre of vegetable oil, add 20 to 25 drops of iodine. At first, this operation will seem a bit long, but you will quickly get used to it, don’t worry. And as soon as the garlic starts to dry, keep it in a ventilated room, away from light and any heat source.
Store garlic in linen bags.
Have you ever thought about storing garlic in a linen bag? This is a great idea. If the humidity in the room is very low, you can sprinkle the garlic heads with small onion peels. And, if on the contrary, the environment is too humid, add a saturated salt solution to the linen bag to absorb that excess moisture. As a bonus, this will protect the garlic from all kinds of pests and diseases.
Preserve fresh garlic in vinegar
Many people prefer to pickle garlic. It is true that its flavour is even more delicate and deliciously spicy! With the right technique, you can even keep it for almost 4 months in the fridge. Peel the pods, removing all the skin, and place them in a perfectly clean and dry glass jar. The secret: you must completely cover the garlic cloves with white vinegar (and even add some spices if you wish). Afterwards, you will see that your dishes will be seasoned with a particular and exquisite flavour.
Can you freeze garlic?
Good question! And the answer may surprise you, because yes, you can freeze garlic easily, but not in any way. First, you have to peel it well, then wrap it in absorbent paper and put it in a container before putting it in the freezer. But be careful, after about two months, garlic runs the risk of losing its aroma and properties. That’s why we advise you to consume it much sooner.
How to properly store garlic in the freezer?
If you don’t want to make a mistake, you need to familiarize yourself with the most suitable preservation methods. If you want the head of garlic to retain all its benefits and last longer, there are smart ways to store it in the freezer. And sometimes it is even more recommended than canned garlic.
Whole heads and unpeeled pods
Place the garlic in a special plastic freezer bag, squeeze out the air, seal and freeze.
How to freeze peeled pods?
Spread the garlic cloves out on a flat surface, such as a small baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for one hour. Then, wrap the frozen pods in aluminum foil and place them in an airtight plastic bag. Label, date, and freeze.
garlic paste
Yes, even garlic paste can be frozen! It’s very simple: fill this paste into a silicone ice cube mold and freeze it until firm (for about an hour). Then, transfer the garlic paste cubes to an airtight freezer bag. And that’s it, that’s it. You can keep it frozen like this for several months. But it’s best to consume it within the next six months.
