Many people use garlic as a daily ingredient in their kitchens, making it a must-have item on their shopping lists. But how to store it to keep it fresh for long?
A basement, garage, unheated pantry, or similar room is the best place to store garlic in your home. The fridge is too cold and the kitchen counter isn't ideal.
Garlic must be stored in mesh bags and hung in a cool, dark place with excellent air circulation to prevent mold growth. You can store garlic in its mesh bag.
Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences suggests keeping garlic at a temperature between 56 and 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
Storage temperatures between 50 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit are good for extending the life of garlic.
Low temperatures encourage growth of the allium, whereas high temperatures lead to dehydration and a loss of flavor in garlic.
When properly preserved, garlic has a long shelf life—months, perhaps up to a year, depending on the variety.
Variety and growing conditions affect garlic's storage life; softneck garlic can keep for up to a year, whereas hardneck garlic can only last four to six months.