Avoid heads if they have started to sprout or have exterior soft spots. The fresher the garlic, the keener the flavor and the less bitter any internal green sprouting will be. Buy large garlic heads (relative to their variety) because you will have fewer garlic cloves to peel per volume of chopped garlic and chopping will be easier. Even more important, your stored garlic supply will not dry out as fast. If you buy elephant-type garlic because you do not relish a strong garlic flavor, consider buying regular garlic and using less of it. This will save you money and reward you with a more enticing garlic aroma and flavor.

** Asian Recipes **