Fresh Herb Storage
I am trying to get some fresh herbs (Parsley and Dill for example) to stay fresh for some time. I have tried the water jar method which is just trimming ends of stems and putting the bunch in a jar of water. Parsley seems to survive this perfectly for over a week. But for some reason Dill gets ilted after couple days.
My concerns are: 1) What is causing wilting here? 2) If I added some fertilizer to the water inside the jar, would that keep the herb alive?
Best Answer
Assuming the jar is in the fridge?
Fridge is very drying and the small amount of water sucked up from stems (that leave the water to be cut) isn't enough in your case. Cutting while remaining underwater sometimes makes a difference.
I have better luck wrapping herbs loosely in very damp papertowel and storing in tupperware in fridge. After 2 weeks even fragile cilantro lasted with only a daily picking-off of a dark leaf or 2.
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What is the best way to store fresh herbs?
Arrange the herbs lengthwise in a single layer on a slightly damp paper towel. Loosely roll up the herbs and transfer to a resealable plastic bag or in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator. This technique also works well with sage, savory, and chives.How do you store a fresh herb and for how long?
Store refrigerated for up to 1 week (or more, if using the herb saver). For the thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, chives, dill or tarragon: Wrap the herbs in a damp paper towel and place it in a sealed plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator. Keeps for up to 1 week.How do you make fresh herbs last longer in the fridge?
Instead of sticking them in a glass of water, wrap them loosely in a damp paper towel. Store the bundle in an airtight container or resealable bag in your crisper drawer. The paper towel keeps the herbs just moist enough so they don't dry out, and the container or resealable bag keeps oxygen out.How long do fresh herbs last in the refrigerator?
By storing your fresh herbs in water, you can extend their freshness by weeks. More delicate herbs like basil and cilantro can be kept for about 1 week but heartier herbs like rosemary and oregano may last up to 3 weeks.How to Store Fresh Herbs » Preserving and Extending the Life of Your Herbs
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Answer 2
A better option is to chop the herb, pack into ice cube trays, cover with oil and freeze (http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/03/how-to-freeze-herbs-for-long-term-storage.html). Alternatively, you can dry your herbs in the microwave for longer storage (http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/03/use-the-microwave-to-dry-your-herbs-for-long-lasting-intense-flavor.html).
Parsley has a thicker stem with more channels for water absorption than dill. That's why the parsley lasted longer - it was able to draw up more water as it lost water to evaporation from the leaves.
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