Tips and tricks for preserving fresh herbs
by Helen L. on March 17, 2021
Fresh herbs are important ingredients in preparing dishes. Unfortunately, many herbs are quite delicate and tend to lose their freshness quickly. It’s not pleasant to reach into the fridge for coriander that has wilted completely in a short amount of time.
This time, Orm Oja, along with the kitchen team, has put together some quick tips and tricks on how to better preserve and use fresh herbs.
SHORT-TERM STORAGE
Basil and mint Store well at room temperature in an open plastic bag. You can also trim the stems slightly and place the herbs in water. However, basil should not be left in direct sunlight.
Tender herbs such as coriander, dill, and parsley should be placed in a closed plastic bag directly into the refrigerator.
Loose herbs such as rosemary, sage, and thyme love moisture. These herbs can be wrapped between damp paper towels and placed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
NB! Don’t wash herbs before use; this way, they stay fresh much longer.
FREEZING
Some herbs are also well-suited for freezing—chop basil, thyme, or rosemary finely and place them in a thin layer in the freezer. When the herbs are frozen, place them in a freezer bag and seal it. This way, the herbs can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Frozen herbs are great for mixing into hot dishes. However, for fresh salads, you should use fresh herbs.
Another great way to preserve herbs is to freeze them in an ice cube tray. o do this, finely chop the herbs—chop delicate herbs with their stems, and for woody herbs, remove the stems first. Mix the herbs with a blend of room-temperature melted butter and cooking oil, then evenly distribute the mixture into the ice cube tray and place it in the freezer. This way, you can toss a frozen cube directly into a hot pan during cooking.
♻️Herbs are perfectly preserved in these grip-seal plastic bags, which is how we send them.