Can you freeze garlic cloves?

In this brief article, we will answer the questions can you freeze garlic cloves, and how to freeze garlic

Can you freeze garlic cloves?

Yes, you can freeze garlic in raw unpeeled form or in the form of individual cloves, and even chopped garlic.

Garlic belongs to the same family as onion. It is a common seasoning worldwide, and is used to enhance flavor. It has a rich history of consumption and part of daily diet for many people. Garlic has a characteristic aroma and flavor which makes it perfect for cooking, and as a seasoning.

Nutritional value of garlic:

Garlic is used all over the world due its taste, aroma, and nutritional benefits. It is rich in Vitamin B6 and other vitamins too. It is also a good source of manganese, selenium, and Vitamin C. Garlic provides many minerals too, including phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and copper.

Health benefits of garlic:

Garlic is used in many food recipes as a tastemaker, to enhance the aroma, as a seasoning, in dressings etcetera. Apart from its applications as a food additive, it is also known to have many medicinal benefits.

Garlic is a rich diet made of minerals and vitamins, it is good for health. Some of its benefits are as follows:

1.     Garlic is used in medicines due to its potent compounds, it is rich in sulfur compounds. Due to its sulfur compound garlic is used in many medicines.

2.     It has active compounds as allicin and diallyl disulfide, these compounds have application in scientific and medicinal fields.

3.     Garlic is highly nutritious with low calories which makes it a healthy ingredient. It has about 4.5 calories that is from proteins, carbs, minerals and fiber

4.     Garlic has the ability to combat common cold, it is rich in nutrients that fight with cold symptoms.

5.     Garlic tea is an herbal mixture that is used against allergies, flu, common cold, and skin diseases.

Shelf life of garlic:

Garlic is a very shelf stable product and remains unspoiled for a long period of time. In proper storage conditions, unpeeled garlic remains safe for half a year. The whole bulb is stored in this case and storage is free from insects.

An unpeeled clove of garlic, if stored in a cool, dry place will remain safe for consumption for 10 days. In proper storage conditions the shelf life increases to one month too. A peeled clover on the other hand lasts for only a few days in a fridge. Chopped garlic has a shelf life of a few days in the fridge if not stored properly.

Other FAQs about Garlic which you may be interested in.

Why does garlic turn green when cooked?

Storage of garlic:

In a kitchen pantry garlic is stored in a cool place with no direct exposure of sunlight. The storage conditions require no moisture as it serves as a medium for microbial attack. Garlic is rich in nutrients and easy to get spoiled if not properly stored.

Some people buy garlic in bulk, as they use it daily. But they might not have enough space to store it in the pantry, one way to store garlic for a long time is by freezing. The method of freezing garlic is as follows:

Freezing unpeeled garlic:

Garlic clove is covered with a thin layer over them to protect them from any physical contamination. If the peel is not removed, garlic stays unspoiled for a long time. To freeze, store unpeeled garlic, take an airtight pouch and store garlic in them.

Some people don’t use air tight bags and it is perfectly fine. Garlic has sulfur compounds which impart aroma, this aroma might mess up with other ingredients. It is best to air tight garlic to avoid any accidents

Freezing Peeled garlic:

One way of freezing peeled garlic cloves is by dipping them in olive oil. It preserves garlic and keeps them safe from oxygenation. Garlic is a low acid food and when placed in oil the availability of oxygen is limited.

If you don’t want to submerge garlic cloves in olive oil, it is best to keep them in an air tight pouch or container. Use freezer bags if you want to freeze them, using bags really saves the texture from freeze burn

Freezing Chopped Garlic:

This is the best way to store garlic if you are planning to use it later in a few days. Chopping garlic or shredding them makes it more vulnerable, but it takes less space. It is also best in way that it is easy to use and there are no texture changes

The method to do this is by chopping the garlic cloves and placing them in a freezer bag. Freezing chopped garlic saves it from freeze burn, freezing destroys the texture but makes the flavor strong.

Conclusion:

In this brief article we have answered the questions can you freeze garlic cloves, and how to freeze garlic and its five health benefits

Refernces:

https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/freezing-garlic/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-garlic#TOC_TITLE_HDR_12