Can Fresh Minced Garlic Be Stored In Olive Oil Like At The Grocery Or Are There Other Preservatives That Need To Be Added?

Ever since man has realized that certain vegetables and fruits can be preserved for use later, he has been experimenting to save for a rainy day. With the advancement in information and technique, this led to the onset of further testing the prescribed and tried and tested methods. Among the vegetables that are commonly preserved are onions, chilies, garlic, ginger and most other vegetables. The preservation methods adopted include soaking the vegetables in brine solutions, vinegar solutions and drying. However, today people are very conscious about what they consume and the nutrients preserved via the technique adopted. Also, today most kitchens need to be equipped to deal with quick cooking methods and emergencies.

Garlic is considered not only for its distinct flavor and taste, but also for the medicinal value it has. It is excellent for digestion and works as an 'internal healer' for a number of ailments. In pharmacies, the goodness of garlic is available in the form of 'garlic pearls' or capsules with garlic concentrate. In the local markets and kitchens, garlic is preserved and stored in a number of ways. The most common ways of storing or preserving garlic for future use is by soaking the flakes in a solution of vinegar or olive oil.

The vinegar commonly used to preserve garlic needs to be at least four times as strong as the vinegar commonly used in cooking. Prior to soaking the flakes in the vinegar solution or olive oil, the garlic needs to be cleaned and the natural water content in the herb needs to be preserved. This is done by soaking the garlic in a brine solution, a water and salt concentrate, and then added to the olive oil base. This ensures the goodness of garlic available, every time you use the preserved flakes in regular cooking.