One of the best ways to get the most flavour out of your food is to use fresh herbs. Herbs provide a wide range of tastes and can really brighten up a dish. They come from all over the world; for example, basil is originally from India, oregano is from Greece, turmeric is from Southeast Asia, and so on. The discovery of spices and herbs by colonial powers led to the Spice Trade. This had a huge impact on the world not only from a socio-political perspective but also economic and culinary as it shaped the cuisine of many cultures that we can now experience today.
However, once you’ve bought or grown your herbs, you need to know how to store them so that you can do your best to preserve their freshness for as long as possible. This is because if you do not do so, your herbs will lose their flavour and become limp and unappetizing. So really, the last thing you want is to spend money on fresh herbs, only to experience that they will go bad a few days later.
Continue to read on for our top tips on how to keep your herbs fresh.
Keeping herbs fresh can be tricky, but with a little care, you can enjoy their flavour for longer. Here are our top tips:
– Cut your herbs properly by utilizing a sharp knife or scissors to snip off the ends of the herbs before storing them. This will help not only keep them neat and tidy but also help them to stay fresh for longer.
– Place the herbs in a glass or jar filled with water, making sure that the ends are submerged. if you do this, you should cover the jar with a lid or plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. In order to keep them fresh, make sure to change the water every few days.
– If you’re not going to use the herbs straight away, you can freeze them. First, wash and dry your herbs properly and then place them on a baking sheet on a single layer. After this, place the baking sheet in the freezer for an hour or so, then transfer the herbs to a freezer-safe bag or container.
There are a few things you should avoid doing if you want to keep your herbs fresh for longer:
– Don’t store them in the fridge door as this is one of the warmest spots in the fridge.
– Avoid washing the herbs until you’re ready to use them, as this can make them wilt because of the moisture.
– Don’t store herbs in a sealed container as this can cause them to mould. If you are going to choose a type of sealed container to store them in, make sure you utilize a pressurized one like a stash jar with hygrometer.
– Don’t store them in direct sunlight as this will cause them to dry out. This is because the direct sunlight will cause the water in the leaves to evaporate.
If you follow the simple tips laid out in this article, you can enjoy fresh herbs for longer. So get cooking and enjoy the flavours that fresh herbs can add to your food! This will allow you to enjoy the fresh flavour of herbs for longer. So next time you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen, reach for some fresh herbs and transform your dish into something truly special.