How to Keep Herbs Fresh From the Grocery Store

Purchase healthy, unwilted herbs to ensure longest storage.

Herbs add depth to the flavor of your favorite foods and dishes. Many foods are bland and are not as enjoyable if they don't contain aromatic herbs to bring out the flavors. Fresh herbs from the grocery store have a short storage life. The flavor is usually concentrated in the oils of the herb foliage. These oils begin to evaporate once the herb is picked. Storing the herbs properly helps maintain the oil content of the leaves so the herbs taste as good as the day they were purchased - even if you don't use them right away. Does this Spark an idea?

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Plastic bag
Shears
Drinking glass

Instructions

- 1
  
  Sort through the herbs and dispose of those with wilted or bruised leaves. Don't wash the foliage prior to storage, as moist foliage spoils quickly.
- 2
  
  Place the herbs in a plastic bag for short-term storage of one day or less. Leave the bag open so excess moisture can escape. Store it in the refrigerator.
- 3
  
  Trim the bottom off each stem for longer storage. Cut the stem at a diagonal using kitchen shears.
- 4
  
  Fill a drinking glass with 2 inches of water. Stand the herbs upright in the glass so the cut end of the stem is in the water.
- 5
  
  Slide a plastic bag over the top of the herbs in the glass, covering the foliage. Use a bag with a wider opening than the glass so some air can circulate.
- 6
  
  Store the glass in the refrigerator. Replace the water daily during storage. Fresh herbs retain their quality for up to one week using this storage method.