How to Pick Garlic

An example of nice looking garlic.

Not only is garlic good for your health, it is tasty, too. But how do you pick the right one for your recipe? And how do you pick the freshest garlic?

Instructions

1. First, you need to know the different types of garlic. Elephant garlic is not a garlic at all, it is actually a leek, so you probably want to avoid it when shopping for a true garlic.
   Usually, the smaller the head of garlic, the spicier it will be. White and purple garlic usually have the same taste, thought the purple garlic may be milder.

2. Usually, the smaller the head of garlic, the spicier it will be.

3. When looking for the freshest garlic, take a look at the papery skin. The skin should be dry and shouldn't have any black on it. The black could be mold or black rot. Also make sure that the garlic cloves are hard and tightly held together.

Tips & Warnings

• Elephant garlic is larger than real garlic.

• Garlic that has green shoots growing out of it has been on the shelf for a long time; pass it up.