This Is the ‘Best Tool’ for Peeling Garlic Cloves

As a garlic lover, you’ll often catch me rubbing my fingers down the side of my kitchen sink to get that infamous garlic stink off of them. I’ll say it: I’m tired of tediously peeling and mincing entire bulbs of garlic clove by clove, only for it to last me one meal. Plus, that jarlic stuff just doesn’t have the same oomph as freshly chopped garlic. So when Amy Schulman, senior strategist, sent over a TikTok of a revolutionary garlic press, I was intrigued. Enter: the garlic popper.

Canterbury Crack & Peel Garlic Popper

It may seem unassuming at first, but this mushroom-shaped piece of non-toxic wood is the perfect tool for prepping anything that needs crushing, from garlic to nuts to herbs. The ergonomic handle elevates this tool above any regular pestle — the dome fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, allowing for easy, pain-free usage.

“Over the years, I have purchased almost every implement that one can find that’s supposed to help you deal with garlic — slicing, grating, crushing, smashing, all of these — and I’ve come to the conclusion that most of them are not nearly as useful as simpler [products],” said TikTok user Jim Folsom (aka botanyincontext), walking us through his garlic peeling methods. 

He reveals the garlic press, noting that he bought it “decades ago.” With two swift hits of the tool, the garlic bulb falls apart in his hands, demonstrating its effectiveness in simultaneously separating and peeling each clove of garlic. “It is really neat,” he said. I’d have to agree. 

After dropping the cloves in water, he takes them out one by one and skins them with a curved paring knife. Finally, he uses an unconventional kitchen tool — a putty scraper — to quickly and efficiently cut and smash the garlic. “I’ll just take a few minutes and I’ll peel 30 of ‘em,” he said. 

While Folsom shows us one impressive way to wield the garlic popper, it certainly isn’t the only way to use it. This garlic press stands in place of both the knife and the putty scraper, as it’s the perfect shape and size for smashing garlic cloves. Plus, the tool is incredibly easy to clean — the simple design means there are no nooks or crannies to dig into. “Best tool for smashing garlic open,” said one reviewer. “This Canterbury just feels good in the hand and does a flawlessly perfect job, clove after clove.” 

“This garlic crusher is so easy, practical, and looks great on my counter,” said another shopper. A third customer affectionately calls this tool a “little pounder,” saying it “cuts way back on mincing,” adding that they ditched their old garlic press for this nifty tool.

I’m putting the days of smelly garlic hands behind me with this adorable, non-toxic mushroom-shaped tool. Grab the Canterbury Crack & Peel Garlic Popper while it’s on sale for $22 at Amazon. 

Shop More Garlic Prep Tools at Amazon

Oaksware Bird Beak Paring Knife

Mister Rui Putty Scraper

OXO Good Grips Silicone Garlic Peeler

Chef'n GarlicZoom Garlic Chopper

Zulay Kitchen Premium Garlic Press Set

At the time of publishing, the price was $22.