How long does garlic last?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long does garlic last” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of garlic. Moreover, we are going to discuss ways to spot bad garlic, the proper way to store garlic, and the easy way to plant garlic.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long does garlic last?
Fresh whole garlic lasts for about 3 to 6 months if it is stored properly in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. Therefore you can store fresh whole unpeeled garlic in a cool and dry corner of the pantry.
It is worth mentioning that you should never store the fresh whole unpeeled garlic in a humid environment as the high moisture content can ruin the quality and freshness of garlic. Moreover, if garlic is stored in a humid environment for too long then mold or other organic growth can spread on it, thereby spoiling it.
While talking about whether or not you can store garlic in the fridge, then it is worth mentioning that as the moisture content of the fridge is high and as long as the garlic is unpeeled, its peel saves it from drying out, therefore the unpeeled garlic does not need to be refrigerated.
It can stay fresh for a long time on a corner of your kitchen counter away from direct sunlight or a dry corner of your pantry or kitchen cabinet.
Can I store whole fresh garlic in the freezer?
Firstly, the moisture content of the freezer is high. Moreover, the whole fresh unpeeled garlic still has its peel on it, therefore it does not need to be stored in the freezer.
How to spot bad garlic?
There are a few indicators including appearance, texture, and color that will point towards the fact that the garlic has gone bad.
If you see some dark-colored patches or spots on your garlic then they are the signs of rot or microbes growth on your garlic and that pretty much means that your garlic has gone bad and the best thing you can do is to get rid of it.
Moreover, if you see some green sprouts on the surface of your garlic it indicates that the garlic has started to lose its flavor and it won’t taste the same if you consume such garlic.
A fresh clove of garlic should be firm and solid in its texture. So, you can touch the garlic to see if it has gone bad or not. If you feel something soft or slimy then the garlic surely has gone bad.
The healthy and fresh clove of garlic is white with a hint of yellow so a different color specifically having a brownish tinge or a more yellowish touch to it points towards the fact that the garlic has gone bad.
Other FAQs about Garlic which you may be interested in.
Does garlic powder dissolve in water?
How to properly store garlic?
Storage conditions play an important role when it comes to how long fresh garlic lasts. Therefore you should store your unpeeled garlic heads in a well-ventilated, cool, dark, and dry place away from direct sunlight.
You can try to hang your garlic heads with a hanger in your pantry or store them in paper bags or open containers. Do not use polythene bags or closed containers for storing garlic as it will result in moisture build-up in it that will significantly decrease the shelf life of the garlic.
Do not peel your garlic, no matter how lucrative it seems to have the pre-peeled pre-diced garlic every time you cook, we do not recommend you to that as peeling significantly increases the rate of deterioration of the garlic cloves.
How to plant garlic?
There is no rocket science behind the process of planting garlic, the process is pretty simple and you can easily use it to grow your fresh garlic. So what you gotta do is to take a pot filled with soil.
Now shove some soil sideways from the center of the pot and add a garlic clove in it. Now cover the garlic clove with the soil again. Sprinkle an adequate amount of water in the pot.
Just remember to water the sown garlic every day and within days you will see the green sprouts growing in the pot. Moreover, you should keep in mind that if you are planting more than one garlic clove, then you should plant them approximately 4 inches away from each other.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long does garlic last” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of garlic. Moreover, we discussed ways to spot bad garlic, the proper way to store garlic, and the easy way to plant garlic.
