Storing garlic - the best tips

Storing garlic - the best tips

Basic requirements for long-term storage of garlic

In order to store garlic for a long time, the acquired or harvested tubers must be fresh. The fresher the leek vegetables, the longer you can keep them. Distinguishing features:

  • White color
  • high strength
  • dry, paper-like skin

also read

  • Freeze garlic in reserve
  • Put garlic - practical tips on timing and technique
  • Snack or spicy side dish - toast garlic

Note: If a tuber can be easily pressed in, it is overripe and needs to be eaten promptly. Sprouts also indicate that it is older garlic.

Properly prepare garlic that you have picked yourself

  1. DO NOT wash the garlic after harvesting (moisture can cause mold).
  2. Place the tubers and onions on the bed for a few days (only in dry weather).
  3. Remove the loose pods.
  4. Braid or tie the green of the garlic in a braid.
  5. Hang the garlic bundle in a dark and well-ventilated place.
  6. After about one to two months, the garlic bulbs are sufficiently dry for long-term storage (wrinkled skin as a sign).

Storing garlic properly - options and instructions

There are basically two options for storing garlic for a longer period of time:

  • than whole cloves of garlic
  • in peeled / cut state

Store whole cloves of garlic

Please consider the following four points:

  • Dryness: In any case, keep garlic in a dry place. Mold can form at a humidity of more than 70 percent.
  • Darkness: Always store the garlic cloves in a dark place and protect them from (direct) sunlight. Otherwise the tubers will sprout (er) quickly.
  • Cool: Do not keep garlic warm, but at relatively cool temperatures of ten to 15 degrees Celsius. Room temperature is also fine.
  • Airiness: Store toes in a well-ventilated place. Closed containers (including plastic bags!) Are unsuitable. Better: net, wire basket or open paper bags.

In short: the garlic cloves have no place in the refrigerator. Pantries and attics work well. In a suitable place, the garlic can be kept for up to twelve months.

Store peeled / cut garlic

You can put peeled and possibly cut garlic cloves in or freeze and in this way extend the shelf life.

Soak peeled toes in oil:

  1. Boil the garlic cloves in water for about five minutes. How to kill germs.
  2. Drain the toes in a colander or dry them with paper towels.
  3. Put the dry garlic cloves in a jar.
  4. Pour the toes on with olive oil.
  5. If necessary, add a little salt and herbs (thyme, rosemary).
  6. Close the jar tightly.

Freezing peeled / cut toes:

  1. Place the peeled toes whole or cut into smaller pieces in portions that are suitable for the freezer.
  2. Seal the containers airtight.

Warning: We do not recommend freezing garlic. The vegetables lose a lot of aroma in the freezer and lose their crunchy consistency.

The garden journal freshness-ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh as long as possible?

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