Herbs – Fresh or Dried, How to Store – Your Questions Answered!
Herbs are a great way to add flavor to all your food – and they’re delightfully low-calorie too!
Fresh herbs added just as you serve, can elevate a dish from ordinary to utterly delicious.
And luckily, they’re easy to use!
Here are the best ways to buy, prepare, store and cook these delicious flavour-adders, as well as how to decide between fresh and dried varieties.
Which Is Best – Fresh Or Dried?
It’s quite simple:
- Use dried if you are going to add them during cooking. This gives enough time for their flavor to infuse into the dish.
- Fresh herbs are best when they are used at the end of cooking, just as you are about to serve.
For example, use dried herbs in a homemade soup or sauce that is going to be simmering for more than 20 minutes after you add the dried herbs. This will allow them to develop their full flavour.
But you’d want to add fresh basil leaves to a pizza just before serving it, or sprinkle fresh cilantro / coriander leaves on top of a serving of curry.
How To Buy Fresh Herbs
Always try to buy fresh herbs as close as possible to the time you’re going to use them, so they’re lovely and fresh with the most flavour.
When you’re buying fresh, look for those with a vibrant colour and aroma. (If you can’t smell the plant, you probably won’t taste much flavor either).
Avoid limp or discoloured items.
How To Store Fresh Herbs
If you aren’t going to be using them immediately, there are some steps you can take to extend their longevity and flavour.
- Remove any fastening there may be on the plants.
- Cut off the root ends (because they will draw moisture away from the leaves which will cause wilting).
- I store my fresh herbs in airtight glass containers, or you can also wrap them in damp paper towel and put them into a zip seal bag (but that’s not very eco friendly, as you’d be using disposable items).
- Then store in the refrigerator, preferably in the warmest part such as the door or the top shelf.
Fresh herbs do not have a long shelf life, so buy only what you need so you don’t waste.
Gently rinse them just before using, and enjoy them as soon as possible.
How To Chop Fresh Herbs
You can use a knife or scissors, but make sure the blade is sharp for a clean cut.
Cut finely to maximize the flavor, and serve immediately
Buying and Storing Dried Herbs
Remember that dried herbs lose their flavour over time, so always try to buy them in small quantities so you don’t waste any.
Store them in an airtight container.
If you open the container and can’t smell the aroma, there probably won’t be any flavor either.
Summary
- Cooking with herbs is easy and adds great flavor to your food.
- Use fresh herbs immediately, or use dried if you will be cooking them for some time.
- Store in airtight containers and enjoy delicious, flavoursome dishes!
