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Fresh herbs make everything better. From boiling ginger to fight off a bad cold to elevating a fragrant roast with rosemary, they not only make our food taste great but treat a variety of medical conditions and illnesses. Yet while our garden greens might have magical powers, they can’t stay fresh forever.
We’ve all bought a bundle of crisp, aromatic herbs and eagerly stored them away for a delicious dish, only to return a sad bag of green mush. So, how can we keep herbs fresh for weeks and not only a few days? Well, it’s not as impossible as it sounds. With these simple storage tricks, your herbs will stay fragrant and fresh:
1. Give them a good wash
Whether you’ve yanked them out of the garden or bought them from a supermarket, washing your herbs is non-negotiable. Giving your herbs a good rinse and a whirl in a salad spinner will get rid of any unwanted surface bacteria and dirt, ensuring your leafy greens stay fresher for longer.
2. Dry gently
Water is great for cleaning your herbs, but it’s your worst enemy when it comes to storing them. Too much moisture will make your herbs a slimy mess, so it’s important to dry them well before packing away. After a good wash, spread them out on a clean dishcloth or a paper towel and pat dry until most of the water is gone. A salad spinner is also a great way to dry your herbs without damaging them.
3. Wrap up hardy herbs
Did you know that there are two different types of herbs; hardy and tender ones? If you didn’t, now you do! This is pretty important information as the storage method differs for each. Hardy herbs tend to be, well, hardy with thick, woody stems. Rosemary, thyme, oregano and chives are all from the hardy family. The best way to store these is by spreading them out on a slightly damp paper town, rolling them up and then transferring them into a zipper storage bag for refrigeration.
4. Trim and transfer the tender ones
As the sensitive kids in the family, tender herbs require a bit more care and attention. You can identify tender herbs by their delicate stems and leaves such as cilantro, basil, parsley and tarragon. To store these guys, you first need to trim the bottom of their stems and snip off any wilted leaves. Next, place them in a large mason jar with water, about a thumbnail deep, and seal with the lid or a plastic bag (be sure to secure the bottom with a rubber band) before storing them in the fridge.
As self storage experts, we know all the tips and tricks to safe-keep your things. Whether you need a safe place to store a few items or a three-bedroom house, we’ve got you covered. With our flexible contracts, wide range of unit sizes and affordable prices, you can store your valuables with complete ease. Contact us at 0800 0852 954 to find out more or get a quick and easy quote online.
