Nothing is more effective than the garlic keeper when it comes to extending your garlic’s shelf life.
It protects your super ingredient from light, temperature fluctuations, excessive moisture, and other conditions that could lower your super ingredient’s lifespan.
You might be wondering, “What’s a garlic keeper, and why do I need one?” Well, stick around, and I’ll unravel the magic behind this kitchen essential.
Table of Contents
- Why Should I Use a Garlic Keeper?
- Types of Garlic Keepers
- What Are They Made From? Which Material Is Best?
- How Does the Garlic Saver Extend Garlic Bulb’s Shelf Life?
- What’s The Best Way to Store Garlic In A Garlic Keeper?
- How Many Garlic Bulbs Can I Store In A Garlic Keeper?
- How To Care For My Garlic Keeper?
- What Other Features To Consider?
- What’s The Cost of the Best Garlic Storage Containers?
- Final Thought
Why Should I Use a Garlic Keeper?
Picture this: you grab a bulb of garlic, ready to add that aromatic kick to your dish, only to find it has turned into a sad, sprouting mess. Enter the garlic keeper for preserving freshness.
Preservation of Freshness
Have you ever wondered why some garlic cloves end up sprouting or losing their zing? It’s all about improper storage. Garlic keepers work their magic by creating an ideal environment that keeps your garlic bulbs in top-notch condition.
- Ever left garlic sitting out on the kitchen counter? Exposure to light and air can turn your garlic bitter and less flavorful. Not the punch you were going for, right?
- Garlic keepers, with their nifty design, shield your garlic from these elements. They’re like cozy homes for your garlic, maintaining that fresh, potent flavor.
Protection from External Elements
Let’s talk about what harms your garlic – light, air, and humidity. Yep, they’re garlic’s arch-nemeses. A good garlic keeper acts as a fortress, protecting your cloves from these sneaky foes.
- Sunlight can mess with garlic’s chemistry, altering its taste and aroma. A garlic keeper provides the darkness your garlic craves.
- Garlic likes to breathe but not too much. The keeper allows just enough airflow to prevent mold and sprouting while keeping it snug.
- Too much moisture can make garlic go mushy. A garlic keeper keeps the humidity levels in check, ensuring your garlic stays crisp.
Types of Garlic Keepers
Now that we understand why garlic keepers are the real MVPs let’s explore the different types out there.
Traditional Ceramic Garlic Keepers
Imagine a small, charming pot sitting on your countertop – that’s the traditional ceramic garlic keeper.
- These keepers often have holes for ventilation and an opening for easy access. The ceramic material helps regulate humidity.
- They’re classic and cute but might not be the best for long-term storage. They are, however, perfect for countertop display and short-term use.
Modern Storage Solutions
If you’re all about sleek and practical, modern garlic keepers are your jam.
- These containers often have perforations or mesh to ensure proper airflow. They’re versatile and can be stored in cupboards or hung up.
- Utilize your kitchen space efficiently by hanging your garlic keeper. They often come with hooks and offer excellent ventilation.
- Short on space? Go vertical! Stackable garlic keepers are a game-changer, especially for those with smaller kitchens.
What Are They Made From? Which Material Is Best?
Companies design garlic keepers from ceramic, porcelain, plastic, or powder-coated metal. Since each construction material has unique characteristics, I have comprehensively scrutinized each material to help you pick the right one for your situation.
Experts say that there is no superior construction material for garlic keepers.
- Ceramic
Ceramic is a preferable material for garlic keepers. It boasts of extreme hardness and superb corrosion resistance. As well, ceramic is non-porous and stain-resistant. Ceramic garlic keepers will last for ages.
On the flip side, ceramic storage containers might not be ideal for busy kitchens since they can easily shatter when dropped or hit with heavy objects.
- Porcelain
Porcelain is a type of improved ceramic. It is highly resistant to chipping, abrasion, and corrosion. Its smooth enamel surface is easy to clean. Porcelain garlic keepers will last longer than their ceramic counterparts when subjected to the same conditions of use. I would recommend them for busy kitchens.
Nonetheless, porcelain garlic keepers aren’t entirely shatterproof. Thus, you will need to keep them in a safe place, where they cannot fall or get hit by heavy utensils.
- Plastic
Though inferior to porcelain, ceramic, and powder-coated metal, plastic garlic keepers have a reasonable tolerance to impact and corrosion. Their reasonably cheap price tag makes them an excellent fit for those working on a tight budget.
Note that cheap plastic may contain BPA and other toxic substances. So, before you buy a plastic keeper, make sure that it is certified food-safe or BPA-free. However, the chances of plastic adulterating your garlic are minimal.
- Powder-coated metal
Powder-coated metallic garlic keepers boast a color-durable finish, easy cleanability, and long-lasting construction. They are more resilient to chipping, scratching, and corrosion. They will stand the test of time.
How Does the Garlic Saver Extend Garlic Bulb’s Shelf Life?
A garlic keeper works in one significant way—it protects your garlic from the elements that speed up sprouting, molding, rotting, and dampness. These storage containers create the perfect conditions required to keep your garlic fresh for a long by:
- Reducing Moisture
Unregulated moisture will affect your garlic bulb in two major ways. First, it will hasten to sprout, thereby making your garlic bulb, less nutritious, more bitter, and unfit for food preparation. Secondly, high moisture will boost mold growth and rotting. Also, low humidity isn’t good since it speeds up withering and drying.
Your best garlic holder has ventilations that keep your super ingredient at the required moisture levels. Therefore, with this container, your cloves will never dry, wither, rot, or sprout prematurely.
- Stabilizing Temperatures
When stored in warm temperatures coupled with high moisture levels, your garlic cloves will start sprouting within a very short period. On the other hand, refrigerating makes your garlic bulbs bitter and less palatable.
That said, keeping your super ingredient in your best garlic container would be the only viable way to store your allium under stabilized temperatures without altering its taste and nutritional profile.
- Blocking Direct Sunlight
Like any seed, direct light supports germination. So, instead of exposing your surplus to direct sunlight, please keep them in the best garlic storage pot. That way, you will never lose your super ingredient to sprouting.
What’s The Best Way to Store Garlic In A Garlic Keeper?
While garlic keepers promise to extend your garlic’s shelf life, there are a few essential things to consider before storing the super ingredient. Otherwise, your cloves of garlic may not stay fresh for as long as they ought to.
- Keep the entire garlic bulb whole.
Breaking your garlic bulb apart is a recipe for accelerated spoilage, sprouting, and molding. So, if you want your garlic to stay fresh for a long, experts suggest that you store the entire bulb intact. If circumstances force you to break the bulb, use it first before proceeding to unbroken garlic bulbs.
- Store your garlic keeper in a dark and dry place
Direct light and unregulated moisture are requisites for mold growth, sprouting, and rotting. Thus, if you don’t wish to lose your precious ingredient too soon, keep them in a dry place, away from direct sunlight. But, make sure that the storage area has enough air circulation.
- Don’t refrigerate your garlic.
Although refrigeration can extend the lifespan of fresh foodstuff, it does not help when it comes to garlic preservation. It will make your garlic more bitter and unfit for food preparation.
How Many Garlic Bulbs Can I Store In A Garlic Keeper?
The number would depend on the size of the garlic keeper you are eyeing. As a rule of thumb, a large garlic keeper will accommodate several garlic bulbs compared to their small counterparts.
Therefore, if you usually stock large quantities of garlic, shop around for a unit that can accommodate all your bulbs without issue. And, if you always buy or store fewer garlic bulbs, a small-capacity garlic cellar would suffice.
How To Care For My Garlic Keeper?
As much as you may want to display your best garlic holder on the kitchen counter, I propose that you keep it away from the edges. Why? Ceramic, porcelain, and plastic keepers are prone to breaking or chipping if they fall.
Unlike those kitchen appliances that require regular cleaning, you don’t have to clean your garlic keeper frequently.
However, if its interior becomes damp or its exterior looks soiled, you can throw it into your dishwasher to keep it clean. As well, you can just hand-wash them.
What Other Features To Consider?
- Ventilation
Ventilation is a crucial feature of any best-rated garlic keeper. They enhance sufficient airflow, thereby keeping your garlic fresh for a long. Without enough ventilation, your garlic bulbs will start sprouting or rotting after a few days of storage. So, before you pick any garlic keeper, make sure it has enough ventilation holes.
- Handles
Handles come in handy when you are carrying or moving your garlic keeper. They minimize the chances of your container slipping off your wet or oily hands. However, if you don’t move your garlic keeper a lot, you can consider buying one without handles.
- Design
Garlic keepers aren’t just meant to extend your garlic’s shelf life, but you can also use them to lift your counter’s aesthetics. So, besides looking for a functional unit, make sure that it is stylish enough to spice up your counter’s looks.
What’s The Cost of the Best Garlic Storage Containers?
Garlic keepers aren’t expensive. You can get a durable, food-safe, and high-capacity unit for as low as $10. But, note that this isn’t the standard price. You can get some great units at a higher or lower price.
But, since a garlic keeper’s price tag tends to dictate its overall quality, I suggest that you steer clear of those unrealistically cheap units. Chances are, they might be flimsy and less effective.
Final Thought
There you have it, folks – the lowdown on garlic keepers, your kitchen’s secret weapon for maintaining the robust flavor of your garlic.
Whether you go for the classic ceramic pot or a modern hanging container, the key is to keep your garlic cool, dry, and away from the spotlight.
So, go ahead, invest in a garlic keeper, or get crafty with a DIY solution – your taste buds will thank you!