How to keep fresh herbs fresher, longer

Using fresh herbs when cooking is nutritious, tastes much better than dried, and smells oh-so-good. But, keeping fresh herbs for any length of time can be a problem, necessitating frequent market trips. This article will show you how to keep fresh herbs fresher for about a week, maybe even longer for some.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sharp knife
• Fresh herbs
• tallish plastic container (large enough to hold up the herbs, small enough to fit inside a large zip lock back
• zip lock freezer bag, gallon size

1. With a sharp knife, cut the bottoms of the stems off the herbs (like you would flowers before putting them in a vase. The idea here is to cut the stems cleanly, so they are able to wick up water easily. Leave some stem in place to hold the herbs up in the container.

2. 
    
   Water for ends of stems only

   Place the herbs in the plastic container with a small amount of water at the bottom to feed the herbs. Do not put so much water into the container that it will cover the leaves of the herb, as this will cause decay of the leaves. Enlarge the image.

3. 
    
   Bend herbs over to fit

   Place the container with the herbs and water, carefully, into the zip lock bag and seal the top. Enlarge the image.

4. Place the bag with the container, water and herbs in the refrigerator in an upright position, and in a place where it will not be spilled by pushing things around in the refrigerator. (been there…)

5. When you need some herbs, open the bag, use some scissors to cut the amount of herb you need, then zip up the bag and put it back into the refrigerator.

6. Every 2 days, remove the herbs from the bag and container, rinse the stems and the container with fresh water, and put fresh water back into the container for the herbs. Remove any leaves that may have gotten wet and/or wilted. Replace the container in the bag, and back into the refrigerator.

7. Enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• If your refrigerator temperature is set too low (below 32), the herbs will freeze and be useless.
• Wash herbs as you use them, rather than before storage. The wet leaves may wilt and decay faster.
• Update: Fresh Basil can be kept fresher the same way EXCEPT do not refrigerate. Keep it out at room temp. Refrigeration will wilt the basil faster.

[sonni57]

on 4/5/2009 Nice and easy directions on how to keep herbs fresh longer.

[2besure]

on 12/19/2008 Thanks for these tips. I have often had to throw out fresh herbs, because I did not have this information.

[AuntieAndrea]

on 11/17/2008 I will have to try this! Makes sense..I cut the bottoms off fresh flowers and water them, why not herbs?

[slphilbrick]

on 9/22/2008 I love basil but it turns so quickly.... I've tried vac. packing them, but they still don't last. Now I'll try your technique...thanks ! 5 *