Peeling garlic can be quite challenging due to the thin, papery skin that tightly adheres to the cloves.
The cloves also have irregular shapes, making it tricky to peel without damaging them.
There are techniques used to make peeling garlic a lot easier, however, an alternative some people opt for is pre-peeled garlic.
Pre-peeled garlic is a convenience product that comes packaged, and is often sold in the grocery stores.
It refers to garlic cloves that have been removed from their outer skin and are ready for cooking.
Pre-peeled garlic could also come frozen, and it saves time in meal preparation.
Despite the ease of making use of this product, some chefs prefer to use freshly peeled garlic for recipes instead.
In this post, we find out why by comparing fresh garlic and pre peeled garlic.
The importance of the garlic peels
The garlic skin which is the papery outer layer, serves as a natural protective barrier for the garlic cloves.
It helps retain moisture and prevents the cloves from drying out, preserving their freshness.
Additionally, the skin acts as a shield against exposure to air, moisture, and external contaminants, which can contribute to the deterioration of the garlic, therefore preserving the delicate flavor compounds within the cloves.
The papery skin helps to maintain the garlic’s moisture content and protect it from environmental factors that can lead to spoilage.
The garlic skin also contains natural oils that contribute to the overall flavor profile of the garlic.
When garlic is stored with its skin intact, it generally has a longer shelf life compared to peeled garlic.
Pre-peeled garlic vs freshly peeled garlic
Pre-peeled garlic is typically processed and packaged, saving time in the kitchen. However, it may lack the freshness and pungency of garlic that’s freshly peeled.
Freshly peeled garlic retains its natural oils and flavors, offering a more intense flavor compared to pre-peeled varieties, which may have undergone some degree of processing and storage.
The convenience of pre-peeled garlic comes at the expense of flavor found in freshly peeled garlic cloves.
Freshly peeled garlic also retains more moisture since it hasn’t undergone the dehydration that can occur during processing and packaging.
Pre-peeled garlic might experience a slight loss of moisture during its preparation, potentially affecting its texture of the garlic.
How to prevent peeled garlic from losing its flavor
Fresh garlic has the best taste in dishes but pre-peeled makes cooking a lot faster.
You can also make your own pre-peeled garlic to help make meal preparation faster.
In case you decide to make your own pre peeled garlic ahead of time, you have to store them well so they don’t lose their flavor.
To help prevent peeled garlic from losing flavor, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Additionally, consider keeping it covered in olive oil to maintain freshness and flavor.
