How to Store Garlic to Retain Freshness for Months!

Months of properly stored garlic can taste just as fresh as it did from the time it was harvested. There is nothing better than going to the garden and picking fresh grown vegetables, then serving them for dinner. Now I know first hand that the garlic I planted, and harvested in the summer, tastes just as delicious deep into January. Thanks to the many layers of natural encasements, the garlic paper, and the proper storage for it’s ultimate long lasting preservation.

As a fresh bulb, garlic is prone to sprouting when stored in a warm, moist environment. Although still quite edible, it is less than ideal for eating as it becomes more bitter and rubbery. Another common storing mistake is placing the garlic in a plastic bag either on the counter or in the refrigerator. This method overtime will not allow for proper air circulation and will utimately mold the product. Just don’t do it! I learned this lesson the hard way.

The key to lasting freshness is storing the hardneck garlic in a location that is consistently cool, dry, well ventilated, and away from direct sunlight. Our ideal location is the garage! It is heated to around 50-55 degrees and we keep our garlic stash on store bought bread racks. This form of storage checks all the boxes of cool, dry, dark, and well ventilated. It surprised me at how amazingly well this works for us!!

So if you don't have a heated garage; the pantry, cellar, or basement are all excellent choices for long term storage. I also recommend laying the garlic in a single layer on a bread rack or something similar. We purchased our racks through Facebook Marketplace for a very reasonable price.

Now most people may not acquire large amounts of garlic like us, so for smaller amounts or short term storage, garlic may be best stored on the counter in a breathable basket/bowl or hung in mesh type netting away from the stove, sink, or window.                   

Once you decide to break open the bulb for eating, the individual garlic cloves will keep on the counter for a few weeks with the paper still on. You can take the paper off then put it in a baggie or airtight storage container and that will last a week or so now in the refrigerator.

Since we are garlic growers and garlic lovers, we are constantly rotating our stock into the house. As we do, I am amazed how fresh and beautiful the bulbs still are well into these winter months!

Many garlic growers may still have culinary garlic for sale this time of year. I know we do!  It will still give you that amazingly fresh "Farm to Table" taste well into these frigid days while having nothing better to do than to cook with fresh garlic!