To hang garlic in the kitchen for drying, you'll need to cure it properly first. Here's a breakdown of how to hang and dry your garlic, based on video references:
Curing and Drying Garlic
Before hanging garlic, it must be cured to dry out the bulbs and wrappers. Here's how to do it:
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Preparation: After harvesting your garlic, clean off any excess soil. Leave the leaves and roots attached, because they're important for drying.
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Drying Location: The video states that garlic needs to sit for two weeks with fans blowing on them constantly. This method helps remove excess moisture and prevent rot.
- This should be done in a well-ventilated area, not in a humid place.
- A garage, shed, or porch could work well for this step.
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Checking for Dryness: The video explains that garlic is dry when the outer wrappers, the roots and the leaves are all dried out.
Hanging Your Garlic
Once the garlic is cured and dry, then you can consider hanging it for storage and decoration.
- Braiding: If you have a lot of garlic with long, pliable stems, you can braid the garlic together and hang the braid for drying or display.
- Bundling: Gather your garlic in small bunches by stems, tie with string or twine and create loops for hanging.
- Mesh Bags: Place your garlic bulbs loosely into a mesh bag and hang the mesh bag up to air.
Storage
- Store your garlic in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place to prevent mold or sprouting.
- Hanging is a great method, but make sure the garlic is fully dried to prevent moisture from causing rot.
- Avoid storing garlic in the refrigerator as this can cause it to soften and sprout.
