How To Keep Fresh Herbs Alive in Your Refrigerator

The crisp, fragrant taste of fresh herbs is pure bliss. I grow my own basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, cilantro, and chives in my garden, and they’re easy to maintain.. If you don’t have the luxury to grow your own, or the green thumb for it,  then you are the perfect candidate to buy fresh herbs from the local grocery or farmer’s market and store them at home. Here’s a quick guide on the best way to store fresh herbs and how best to keep them alive:

Storing Long Stemmed Herbs Like Basil, Parsley & Cilantro

Always go for herbs which have roots still attached to them. Long stemmed herbs such as basil, parsley and cilantro should be treated like a bouquet of flowers.Put them in a water-filled vase in a warm place, and de-leaf as much as you require[1]. Do NOT freeze these herbs because moisture will make their leaves wilt and blacken.  These varieties don’t do well inside the refrigerator.

Storing Rosemary, Chives & Thyme

Most other herbs won’t live much longer after being plucked; these include herbs like rosemary, chives and thyme. Wrap these herbs in a paper towel and store them in the warmest, driest part of your refrigerator, away from the dampness of the freezer.  Be sure to change the paper towel once a week.

The Cold Chill Method of Storing Herbs

Some herbs really grow best in a cold environment. You can cut the tips of the stems diagonally and place them in a jar of water inside the refrigerator.  Change the water when you are not going to use the herbs immediately.  This method can preserve herbs for a couple of weeks. If they go brittle or black, the herbs have to be disposed of, so try to use your herbs before they start to wilt.

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[1]http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/herbs-spices/best-way-store-herbs-10000001192665/