We follow the rules: how long can garlic be stored and under what conditions?

Garlic is one of the popular spices, which is used to prepare a large number of dishes as a savory additive.

Once the harvest is harvested, the problem becomes preserving it. There are a number of factors that affect shelf life.

You can also try to extend the storage time of the vegetable using certain techniques.

We will tell you further about how long garlic can be stored and under what conditions.

Shelf life taking into account all factors

In order for the harvested vegetable to last well in the winter, it must be prepared. Only fully ripe (but not overripe) vegetables are sent for long-term storage. garlic.

Storage periods depend on a number of circumstances:

• spring or winter variety;
• conditions of detention;
• state of the vegetable;
• what kind of processing did it undergo?

Garlic is stored fresh, canned, frozen and dried. Fresh garlic heads are the most demanding when it comes to keeping conditions.

Fresh

For them, the mandatory conditions of detention are:

• protection from sunlight;
• air humidity is about 60-80%.

It is also important to adhere to the temperature regime. For a winter vegetable this is +2-4?C, for a spring vegetable – up to +20?C.

Both winter and summer garlic should be stored in conditions of good air exchange.If this rule is not followed, the garlic will begin to disappear.

Suitable storage conditions can be implemented in a private house and even in an apartment. The following places can be adapted for storage:

• cellar;
• attic space;
• pantry;
• equipped balcony/loggia;
• fridge.

In the warmth of a city apartment with low humidity, garlic lasts less as it begins to dry out. You can extend its shelf life by placing the heads in jars (or boxes) and sprinkling the layers with flour (sawdust or salt).

Spring varieties can last until spring, winter varieties - less, on average 3-4 months. If the tooth is brushed, its shelf life is further reduced. When ground in the refrigerator, it will last up to a month. Cleaned teeth filled with oil can stand in a cool place for up to three months.

An example of storing garlic in flour is in the video:

Frozen

Garlic cloves can be frozen whole or chopped. This product should only be stored in the freezer, avoiding re-freezing after defrosting. Shelf life is one year, until the next harvest.

This video will show you how to freeze garlic for the winter:

Dried

Dried garlic should be stored in a dry place in a closed container. It is advisable to use this spice within a year from the date of preparation. A vegetable that has been dried loses a significant part of its nutrients.

This video will show you how to dry garlic:

Canned

Garlic cloves can be pickled or pickled. In rolled up jars they can last until the next harvest..

Salting and pickling garlic for the winter, video recipe:

How to extend the shelf life of a product?

Every housewife is interested in extending the shelf life of the crop.

The following techniques can help with this:

1. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity in the storage area of ​​garlic stocks should not be allowed.
2. Before sending it to storage, the bottom with roots can be lightly scorched.
3. Periodically you need to review vegetables in order to find spoiled ones in time and remove them from the total mass.
4. At the first signs of damage, the affected heads can be processed by cutting off previously damaged areas. This will extend the shelf life of the crop.
5. In order for the crop to be stored for a long time, the integrity of the outer shell, which protects the slices, should not be allowed to be damaged.

Features of using vacuum packaging

Vacuum packaging allows you to preserve garlic for several months. In this compact form, the heads can even be stored on a cabinet shelf.

It is advisable to periodically check bags of vegetables to ensure that the vacuum is intact.

Freezing a vegetable

Freezing garlic can be a real godsend. Even damaged vegetables can be used for harvesting..

In this case, areas unsuitable for food are cut off, and the slices are crushed in any convenient way.

Frozen garlic can last for a year. To avoid having to defrost it more than is necessary for one preparation, it should be sent to the freezer divided into portions. It is not only practical, but also convenient.

Garlic is placed in the freezer, clean, dry, without rot or mold. If there is moisture on the slices, the teeth should first be dried on a towel..

Freezing allows you to extend the shelf life of the spice. But after defrosting, the vegetable becomes soft, losing its original consistency. In this form, it can be used mainly for preparing first and second courses.

Recommendations

When preparing garlic for future use The following recommendations will help:

1. Spring varieties are better preserved fresh, so it is advisable to consume winter varieties first.
2. Damaged heads are not suitable for long-term fresh storage, but can be used for drying, canning or freezing.
3. It is advisable to store spring and winter varieties separately.
4. Garlic that will be stored fresh must be collected on time. Otherwise, it will begin to fall apart into pieces.

Conclusion

How long garlic will be stored depends on a number of circumstances. If you follow all the rules and technology for organizing preparations, you can provide your family with aromatic spices for the whole year.