How to store fresh herbs
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Of course, the best way to keep herbs fresh is to pick them straight from the ground. However, we do not always have the opportunity to go to the market every day or to grow our herbs.
We frequently buy more herbs than we need and then, unsure of how to store herbs, throw them in the fridge door or some boxes. In two days, and sometimes faster, the plants become unusable or rotten, especially green herbs. The result is food and money wasted. It's time you learned how to store herbs. Check out our easy recommendations below!
How long do fresh herbs last?
One thing to know before we start: how long do fresh herbs last? Well, fresh herbs don't last forever, of course, but there are ways to keep them fresh longer than usual. Herbs lose their freshness and become slimy due to moisture and oxygen.
However, if properly stored, fresh herbs can last two to three weeks in the refrigerator and a few months in the freezer. Dried herbs, as well as dried food, can last up to a year.
Check the herb type first.
First up, check the herb type. Some green herbs are more fragile than others. The most common green herbs are basil, parsley, mint, dill, tarragon, and cilantro. Hardy herbs are those with a hardier wooden stem, such as rosemary or thyme.
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Remember the risks and factors.
Now that you know what kind of herbs you have, it's time to learn about the risks and factors. Many factors affect how long the herbs will stay fresh. Some of them are exposed to excessive oxygen, light, moisture, not enough moisture, and the wrong temperature. Excessive exposure to light is what turns herbs yellow.
This is especially true for thin, delicate herbs like parsley, chervil, or cilantro. Make sure to avoid sunny spots. Excessive exposure to oxygen can turn herbs like basil or mint brown. Excess moisture can turn herbs slimy (this is going to happen if you keep herbs inside the plastic bag from the supermarket for days). On the other hand, not enough moisture can cause herbs to dry out. Keeping herbs at the wrong temperature will cause them to decay or lose flavor faster than they should.
The most common places to store herbs.
The most common places people store herbs are the plastic supermarket bag, zipper-lock bag, jar, paper towel, glass of water, ice cube tray, airtight container, and more. Before you decide to keep herbs, read the text to the end and know the important factors.
How to store herbs in the fridge.
People usually store herbs in the fridge, which is not a bad idea. However, there are proper ways to store herbs in the fridge. First, make sure to wash the herbs and eliminate any dirt and bacteria. Once washed, dry them with a paper towel and put them upright in a jar of water, and cover them with a plastic bag.
As for hard herbs, roll them in a moist paper towel before refrigerating. To make this easier on yourself, here is a gadget currently on the market for your herb storing needs.
The BREO BOX has the perfect gadget for you! The Herb Savor is an amazing kitchen gadget that comes in the spring subscription box and is ready to be your herbs’ best friend.
This gadget will make sure that your dishes have a wonderful taste and smell by providing fresh herbs. Made of a stainless steel rinsing basket, it extends the life of delicious herbs like basil, oregano, or cilantro by up to 3 weeks! The Herb Savor fits in most refrigerator doors, has an easily refillable base, and is dishwasher safe. Most buyers claim that it is a great space saver and that herbs last 3–4 times as long as this.
Is it possible to freeze herbs?
The answer is yes. The freezer is the best solution for the long-term storage of fresh herbs. Hardy herbs can go in a paper towel bundle and be placed in a plastic freezer bag, but tender herbs require some time to prepare.
If you do a little research, you will see that the best solution is to use ice cube trays. Cover them with some light olive oil first, then place the chopped herbs on top and freeze. If you’re not familiar with cutting herbs, you can put them in a blender and place them in ice cube trays with a tablespoon.
How to store herbs if you’re about to use them soon?
If you’re going to use herbs soon, you need to remove the stems and wash them first. Then you can put them in a container, jar, or water glass like you would flowers. Keep them in the fridge and change the water every couple of days.
How to store herbs dry.
If you prefer, you can store herbs dry too. Arrange herbs on paper and cover them with another paper towel and then microwave them. It takes one minute for hardy herbs until they are dry. Soft herbs will take 40 seconds, followed by 20-second bursts. Once done, grind the herbs into a powder and store them in an airtight container.
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash
Fresh all the time: Grow your herbs.
The best way to make sure you always have something fresh is to grow your herbs. If you've given up on the thought of it, think twice! There is a simple way to grow your fruits, vegetables, or herbs at home even if you don’t have much space.
The Grow Pad Mini is the perfect gadget for growing herbs such as oregano, mint, rosemary, basil, thyme, and parsley. The quality of herbs freshly picked from your garden is vastly superior to those bought at the grocery store. With the Grow Mini Pad, you’ll be able to harvest after 6 weeks of planting and continue harvesting for up to 6 months!
The Grow Pad Mini includes a smart 12-hour cycle LED light that provides all the sunshine your herbs need. All you need to do is pour in some water and watch your herbs grow. Simply connect your device to a power source, place the pot on the base, and add the substrate to the pot. Add a couple of seeds to the substrate and add clean, filtered water! Your herbs will grow safely in this dirt-free environment, and you don’t need to worry about the weather or the risks.
Find it, along with more cool gadgets, in the BREO spring subscription BOX 2022.