Ginger and garlic are two ingredients used in the kitchen throughout the year. These organic components are widely used in cooking around the world as they have a distinct taste. Apart from being excellent flavor enhancers, ginger and garlic are loaded with health benefits. In case you weren’t aware, ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation in the body. Garlic on the other hand acts as a natural antibacterial and immune system booster. While both these foods stay fresh for longer in winters, they spoil easily in summers. Check out the useful tips below to keep ginger and garlic fresh in summer.
Read also: Kitchen Tips: How To Clean Kitchen Knives Properly – Process, Tips & Tricks
How to keep garlic fresh in summer:
1. Store garlic in a dark place
Most of us keep garlic cloves in a basket on our kitchen countertop, which is the perfect way to store them. However, be careful not to place them near a window where the garlic would be exposed to direct sunlight. Garlic can dry out and sprout quickly when exposed to sunlight.
Garlic is rich in antioxidants. photo credit: pixabay
2. Good ventilation is important
The ideal way to store garlic is at room temperature with excellent air flow. Why? Because garlic will spoil quickly if kept in wet and humid conditions. Therefore, it is important that they be kept in a mesh basket with adequate airflow.
3. Store in an air tight container
If you feel that the room temperature is increasing and the shelf life of garlic may be reduced then use this process immediately. Simply peel the garlic cloves and store them in an airtight container. Don’t forget to keep the container in the fridge.
Read also: 5 brilliant garnishing ideas to enhance the taste and look of any dish
How to keep ginger fresh in summer:
1. Keep in the fridge
We all know that ginger does not keep well at room temperature. It dries up after a few days if kept in a sunny area. So, what needs to be done to keep it fresh for a long time? Make sure to always keep unpeeled ginger in the refrigerator at a cool temperature as this will keep the ginger juicy and fresh for weeks.
Store ginger in the fridge. photo credit: pixabay
2. Store in a zip-lock bag
Ginger gets moldy in summer and hence it is better not to keep it in the kitchen. If you want to preserve its freshness for at least 1 month, you can do so by placing the ginger pieces in a zip-lock bag. Once you seal the bag, the ginger won’t lose any moisture, which will increase its shelf life.
3. Store in an airtight container
Many times we chop a lot of ginger and it does not get fully utilized while cooking. Since it is unpeeled, it is prone to spoilage easily. But don’t worry! You can easily store unpeeled or sliced ginger for one to two weeks. Just put them in an airtight box and store them in the fridge.
Although ginger and garlic can be easily kept fresh during the summer season, it is advised to buy them in small quantities to avoid spoilage.