How to preserve garlic to keep its flavor and freshness for the longest time

Garlic is an ingredient that adds flavor to many dishes. There are at least 11 types of garlic that vary in flavor, color, and size. It is best to choose garlic that smells good and has firm cloves, and avoid varieties that are dry, dark, sprouted, or rotten.

When choosing fresh garlic, the most important thing is how to preserve it to keep it for the longest time, even up to several months without losing its flavor.

Keeping the whole bulb of garlic is the best way to preserve fresh garlic.. Once the garlic has been separated into cloves, the storage time of the garlic will be reduced. Normally, a separated garlic bulb can only be stored for about 10 days. The simplest way to store fresh garlic at home at room temperature is to put it in a mesh bag. Fresh garlic should be stored in a dry place, away from light. The ideal temperature for storing garlic is about 15-18 degrees Celsius with moderate humidity.

Put garlic in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator.is a suggestion. However, refrigerated garlic will begin to sprout after a few days out of the refrigerator. While sprouted garlic is still edible, it will often taste more bitter. So if you want to store garlic this way, make sure to keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.

Leftover peeled or chopped garlic can also be stored in the refrigerator. The best way is to place the leftover garlic in a plastic bag or a lidded container and store it in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.

Put garlic in the freezeris also an option for preserving garlic. However, many people believe that frozen garlic will not have the same flavor as fresh garlic. The simplest way to preserve garlic in the freezer is to separate the cloves, chop them, add a little water, and then freeze them into cubes. The cubes should be stored in an airtight bag in the freezer and can be stored for up to 1 month without losing flavor.

Roast garlic in the ovenRoasting garlic is not only a way to enhance the flavor of garlic, but also a way to preserve garlic in the freezer. Roasted garlic can be stored in the same way as fresh garlic. To roast garlic, rub a little olive oil on the garlic and place it in the oven at 175 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes.

Once cooked, cut off the root end of the garlic clove and peel it, then store the soft garlic in a covered container in the freezer. Roasted garlic will keep for about a week in the refrigerator. Roasting the garlic in oil will prevent it from freezing completely, making it easier to use when needed.

Soak in vinegaris another way to preserve garlic. Pickling garlic in vinegar is similar to pickling other vegetables. Although pickling garlic in vinegar is more labor intensive than other preservation methods, it can keep garlic for several months. Note that pickling in vinegar will reduce the flavor of the garlic, but it will turn it into a dish that can be added to some salads, stir-fries, and beans.

To dry garlic, peel and slice the garlic. You can dry garlic in the oven at 115 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius) for 30 minutes. Once the garlic is crispy, store the dried garlic in an airtight container at room temperature for several months.

Note that you should not soak fresh, uncooked garlic in oil because it will be an ideal environment for C. Botulinum bacteria to grow.