>I want to use it, because it seems like such a convenience, but every time I buy a jar it tastes...weird/bad.
I suggest that you do whatever you want/prefer.
As I said in a previous comment[0]:
It's not that I find mincing fresh garlic onerous. Rather
the taste difference (feel free to disagree, I don't mind
-- please do exactly what you want to do) for me isn't big
enough to compensate for the convenience (and lower cost)
of dumping a couple spoonfuls of pre-minced (in water, not
oil -- although if you prefer oil, then have at it) garlic
and off you go.
Sort of. Yes, the flavor (if I eat it out of the jar) is a bit different, but once it's mixed into the dish I'm cooking, the difference isn't big enough for me to care.