How to Wash Herbs

Fresh herbs can be a terrific enhancement to your culinary creations. However, leafy and fronded herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, and dill,can pick up dirt and debris from their growing beds. Whether you buy them or grow them yourself, give your herbs a good washing before you consume or preserve them. Nothing spoils an otherwise perfect dish like a mouthful of garden grit.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Inspect your herbs. If your herbs are freshly harvested, you may find insects, such as aphids, clinging to the stems or the leaves. Check the fronts and backs of the leaves and pick off any insects you find. Remove any visibly damaged or wilted leaves. Trim stems to a uniform length.

2. Fill a rectangular container with cool water. A large Rubbermaid food storage container or a 13 x 9-inch baking dish works well. Place on a countertop next to the sink and place a large colander in the sink.

3. Place a few herb sprigs in the water and swish. Dirt will fall to the bottom of the container, so keep the herbs close to the water surface. As you wash each group of sprigs, place them in the colander. When you have washed the entire bunch, dump the water and refill the container. After the second washing, look at the bottom of the container. If there is a significant amount of sand or grit in the container, repeat the process.

4. Run cool water over the herbs in the colander. If you have a salad spinner, use that to dry the herbs, a few sprigs at a time. If you do not have a spinner, dry the herbs between layers of paper towels, patting them down gently to remove as much water as possible.

5. Use the herbs or store them in the refrigerator between layers of paper towels in a resealable plastic bag. They will keep for several days.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, wash your herbs right before you use them.
• If you are planning to dry or freeze your herbs, remove as much water as possible.