It’s crucial you store your garlic right so it will be in peak condition when it’s time to use it.
Garlic can actually keep well for months; the key is to store it the right way. There are various ways on how to store garlic, these ways are the important things to keep in mind when it comes to proper storage of garlic.
How To Store Garlic- Various Ways To Proper Garlic Storage:
1. In the Fridge
Storing garlic in the crisper drawer of your fridge takes care of the humidity problem. Just be aware that once garlic has been in the cold, it will start sprouting within days after being brought to room temperature. (This is why garlic from the store often sprouts.) So if you store it this way, keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. If your garlic does sprout, grow some tasty garlic greens by popping the bulb in a small pot of soil on your windowsill.
2. Save a whole bulb of garlic
If you cook fanatically with garlic, you will use the whole bulb quickly. If you are not such a fan or you’ve bought a large package of garlic bulbs, it can be more difficult to keep the garlic fresh. You can store a whole bulb of garlic outside the refrigerator, but the bulb will probably start to sprout if you do this. The garlic will still be edible, but if will have a less pleasant taste.
3. In the Dehydrator
Making your own dehydrated garlic is very easy. Thinly slice your peeled garlic (a food processor with a batch loader can do this really quickly), and pop the slices into your food dehydrator, or into a barely warm oven with the door propped slightly open; you want to maintain a temperature of 115 degrees.
Once the slices are crisp, store them in an airtight container as is or chop them in a blender beforehand. Dried garlic stores well at room temperature for many months, as long as the container is airtight and tightly sealed.
4. Ventilation for storage
Garlic bulbs are usually sold neatly, and for good reason. The bulbs of the plant need ventilation to maintain their shelf life for a long time. At home it is therefore best to store the garlic separately rather than in a pantry, bag or airtight storage box.
5. Store peeled garlic cloves
Have you accidentally peeled more cloves than you need? Peeled (and even sliced) garlic can also be stored for a while. Place the cloves in an airtight storage container (yes, you can if they are peeled).
A glass container is better than a plastic container because plastic absorbs the strong garlic odor. The container must seal tightly to prevent everything in your fridge from smelling like the fragrant garlic. You can store the peeled and / or sliced garlic in the refrigerator for up to two days.
The right temperature for garlic
When storing garlic, a temperature of 15 to 18 degrees is ideal. Since the room temperature is often higher than that, you need to find a good spot for your garlic. For example, a storage place closer to the floor is cooler than the top shelves in your kitchen cupboard, and is therefore a better option.
Also, do not place the garlic bulb near the kettle, oven, stove or other any hot appliance. In addition, choose a spot where no bright sunlight falls. The garlic prefers to be in the shade.
Why You Should Avoid Storing Garlic In fridge All Time.
When stored in a cold environment, like the refrigerator, garlic will begin to sprout in no more than a few days. While sprouted garlic is still edible, it can sometimes be a little bitter-tasting.
