How to Store Fresh Garlic for a Year
How to Store Fresh Garlic for a Year
Preserving Whole Garlic Fresh for a Year: The Ultimate Guide to Storing Fresh Garlic and Peeled Garlic
Keep your freshly harvested garlic as crisp as the day you bought it for a whole year! This comprehensive guide covers the best methods for storing whole and peeled garlic, preventing moisture and sprouting. Learn how to keep your garlic in perfect condition using tips for your kimchi refrigerator and enjoy its full nutritional benefits.
Main Ingredients- Whole garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Hello everyone! This is Jin Ok Kim. Fresh garlic season has started, and it’s starting to appear everywhere. Many of you might be wondering how to store this fresh garlic to keep it vibrant for a long time. If stored correctly, you can enjoy your fresh garlic until the next harvest season! My mother-in-law stores whole garlic in her kimchi refrigerator, keeping it fresh for an entire year. Today, I’ll share the garlic storage method I learned from her.
Step 2
When you buy fresh garlic, it contains a lot of moisture. Therefore, the very first step in storing it is to dry it out. Find a spot with good air circulation and sunlight, like a balcony. Lay down newspaper, spread the whole garlic cloves on top, and then separate each clove. Drying them individually after separating them is much more effective than drying them as a whole bulb. (Note: You are not removing the outer skin at this stage, just separating the individual cloves from the bulb).
Step 3
Dry the separated garlic cloves with their skins on until they are crisp. During this drying process, remove any cloves that are soft or showing signs of spoilage. For any garlic cloves that have already lost their skin, set them aside to be stored like peeled garlic in the refrigerator. Since fresh garlic has high moisture content, this drying step is crucial for long-term freshness.
Step 4
Once the garlic is dried to a crisp, prepare your storage container. Line an airtight container with a layer of newspaper. Spread a thin layer of the dried garlic cloves on top. Cover with another layer of newspaper, then add another thin layer of garlic, followed by another layer of newspaper. Repeat this layering process. When the container is filled with garlic, before closing the lid, place one final layer of newspaper on top to absorb any residual moisture, then securely close the lid. Storing these sealed containers in a kimchi refrigerator is the best method. Keep them at a medium temperature setting in the kimchi refrigerator, ensuring they don’t freeze, and they will stay fresh for a year.
Step 5
Sometimes, when storing garlic for an extended period, you might notice sprouts emerging. It’s said that garlic sprouts are even more nutritious than the garlic itself. You can consume the sprouted garlic along with the rest of the clove. However, if the sprouts appear unhealthy or unsanitary, it’s best not to eat them. Here’s a handy tip for peeling stored garlic: briefly dip the garlic in water, then use a paring knife to trim off just the root end. This will make peeling the garlic cloves much easier. Be careful not to soak the garlic for too long in the water; just a quick dip is sufficient before peeling.
Step 6
When you want to use some of the whole garlic stored with its skin on, simply take out the amount you need for a few days and peel it. If you wish to store peeled garlic fresh for a short period, first ensure that the peeled garlic is completely dry using paper towels. Then, line an airtight container with paper towels, place the peeled garlic on top, cover it with another layer of paper towels, close the lid, and store it in the refrigerator. This method will keep peeled garlic fresh for several days.
Step 7
Garlic is recognized as one of the top 10 healthiest foods in the world, packed with incredible benefits for our health! With fresh garlic abundant now, I hope you’ll use these storage tips to keep it fresh and enjoy its health advantages throughout the year. Wishing you a wonderful day! *^^*
