How to Keep Fresh Garlic for a Long Time

Garlic should keep fresh for a long time as long as you follow just a few simple steps. Still, it’s important that you start with fresh cloves that are as close as possible to perfect in order to ensure a longer period of preservation.

Instructions

1. Buy garlic heads loose, rather than in bags, and never buy more than you plan on using within a couple of weeks. Bagged garlic will ripen quicker and can rot if stored against others for longer periods of time.

2. Check for dark or soft spots. Mottled or flaky skin can indicate the presence of mold or other bacteria. The whiter and firmer the head of garlic, the longer it will keep.

3. Store garlic in a dark place, preferably a kitchen cabinet, away from moisture. If you have no choice but to put it in the fridge, avoid the vegetable drawer, which concentrates too much moisture and will cause the garlic to rot.

4. Buy a garlic keeper, a ceramic pot with small holes designed to allow for air circulation while keeping garlic dark and away from pests.

5. Use a paper bag if you don’t have a garlic holder. This will still protect the cloves from light while allowing for air circulation. Plastic bags, on the other hand, can produce condensation and allow light, two of the major reasons garlic rots faster.

Tips & Warnings

• Garlic can be frozen for up to three months, but it will lose part of its flavor when thawed.

• Moldy garlic can be toxic, so dark spots should be cut off as soon as possible to avoid further contamination.

• Don’t store peeled cloves in olive oil, as this causes bacteria (especially botulism) to grow and reproduce.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish