No, soft garlic is not okay to eat.
According to the provided reference, garlic cloves should be plump and firm. If you notice that the cloves are soft when pressed, it's a sign that the garlic is past its prime.
Identifying Bad Garlic
Here's how to identify garlic that is not good to eat:
- Texture: Healthy garlic cloves are firm. If they are soft when you press them, they are likely going bad.
- Husk: Look for plump cloves tightly covered by white or purplish papery husks. Avoid garlic with shriveled cloves or browned husks.
Why Avoid Soft Garlic?
Soft garlic indicates that the cloves are starting to decompose. This degradation can affect the flavor and potentially the safety of the garlic, meaning it won't provide the desired taste or benefit.
When to Discard Garlic
Toss garlic when it has the following:
- Soft cloves.
- Shriveled cloves.
- Browned husks.
