Tips for Buying and Storing Garlic Cloves for Your Restaurant
When you are in the hotel industry, you have to learn the art of buying food supplies in bulk. Wholesale purchases allow you to enjoy discounts on food products. Also, you don't have to make multiple orders every week when you need to make certain meals for your clients. One of the ingredients that are prevalently used today is garlic. You will find it in sauces, salads, stir-fries and all sorts of dishes that are served in eatery businesses. This means that you have to buy the cloves in bulk and store them in such a way that they remain fresh throughout the week. Below are some useful tips that you can utilize when buying and storing this commodity.
Buy fresh garlic
Unless you want to throw out rotten cloves from your storage room, it is important to look for the freshest ones on the market. The secret is to buy garlic that is dry and firm with unblemished skin. Those that have brown and black blemishes are nearly at the end of their usable period, and they will most likely last for only a few days before going bad. As you buy, don't go for those whose skin has already been peeled. Since you intend to keep them for at least a week or more, it's best to get those which have their skin intact for maximum protection.
Store in cool, dry place
Garlic can maintain its freshness for months when stored in a cool and dry place. The presence of moisture can encourage mould growth, which will cause the cloves to rot. So make sure that your storage room is moisture-free at all times. However, do not store garlic in the refrigerator. Store it the way you do your bulb onions or leave it on the counter, and it will last for several weeks. If you've bought a lot of garlic that cannot be left sitting on the kitchen counters, put it in a bag and store this away in a cabinet or storage room.
Use properly
The mode in which you pick out cloves and store the rest of the garlic can shorten its lifespan. For example, if you only need a few cloves, make sure that you don't expose the rest of the bulb to water as this will encourage mould growth. Only pick the cloves that you need, and store the rest of the bulb. Also, do not remove the entire skin. If you separate the bulbs, they will only remain fresh for a week; therefore, make sure that you use them within this period.
Follow these tips to ensure that you save money when buying and storing garlic for use in your restaurant.