How to Buy Garlic

Garlic, known for its many health promoting properties, is a commonly used spice in worldwide cooking. Garlic can be purchased in many different forms, but if you want to purchase fresh heads of garlic, there are certain things that you should look for. Here's how to buy garlic.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Search for a head of garlic that is compact, dense and heavy for its size. If the head of garlic is light in weight, the garlic is likely dehydrated.

2. Feel the head of garlic. Fresh heads of garlic are firm to the touch. The head shouldn't be soft or spongy.

3. Examine the paper-like covering on the head of garlic. This covering should be intact and whitish in color. If this paper-like covering is shriveled, consider another head of garlic for your purchase.

4. Look for signs of sprouting on the head of garlic. If any green shoots are seen on a head of garlic, that head of garlic shouldn't be purchased. Sprouting garlic tends to be bitter.

5. Take a look at the garlic cloves, if possible. The garlic cloves should be plump and not dry or shriveled. They should also be whitish in color. Gray or yellow colored garlic cloves don't provide the best garlic flavor.

6. Buy dehydrated garlic in the spice section of your grocery store. Although fresh is best, it's a good idea to have plenty of garlic spices in your pantry. You should have garlic salt, garlic powder, garlic flakes and pureed garlic to use in your recipes.

Tips & Warnings

• Garlic grown in China often has its roots shaved off. Garlic grown in the United States typically has the roots left intact.
• Remember that you'll use more fresh garlic than dried when flavoring your dishes.
• A single head of garlic typically contains between 10 and 20 individual cloves.
• Even though fresh garlic is best, it loses its flavor quickly. Keep dried garlic on hand to substitute in a recipe if necessary.

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