![]() Use the frozen cubes when you first start cooking the way you would normally heat oil in a pan, or stir in at the very end to finish.įresh herbs may be dried or dehydrated so they can last for up to six months when stored properly.Add herbs to an ice cube tray and fill with oil before freezing through.Thoroughly dry herbs (water droplets will cause splattering during cooking) and chop them.To store herbs long-term, fresh herbs can be frozen - but don’t just toss them in a baggie! If you do, they’ll likely freeze together and form ice crystals that will drain and muddy their flavor when they defrost. A few other factors contribute to their longevity, including the quality of the herbs when you buy them and how dry or unbruised they are before you store them. How long do fresh herbs last?ĭepending on how you store them, some herbs can last up to a couple of weeks while others should should be used right away. Store in an open plastic bag in your fridge’s crisper drawer. Both of these cleaning methods allow dirt and debris to fall to the bottom of a bowl without leaves being bruised from running water. When dry, transfer to a damp paper towel and wrap in bundles before placing in an open baggie in the fridge. To wash hardy herbs, swirl around in cold water and lay flat on a clean dish towel.You can be a little less careful about drying when storing on the counter because the herbs will dry naturally in an upright position. To wash tender herbs, hold by the stems and plunge the leaves in cold water.It’s important, however, to dry your herbs well before wrapping and storing, to prevent them from getting wet and moldy. Plus, if you wash them before storing, you'll be likely to use them when you're cooking. Should you wash your herbs before storing? Check on them every couple of days: They'll last longer if you occasionally change their wrapping and throw away wilted pieces. If stored in water, hardy herbs can become waterlogged. Keep hardy herbs dry in the clamshells they’re sold in, or wrap in a damp paper towel and store in an open baggie in the fridge.To help them last longer, change the water every couple of days and discard wilted stems. Tender herbs benefit from being treated like live flowers and stored in water at room temperature – the fridge’s temperature and air can bruise bare, delicate leaves (two exceptions: Parsley and cilantro can stand up to the cold just loosely cover dry leaves with plastic before stashing in the fridge).Where should you store herbs - on the counter or in the fridge? Think: Rosemary growing in the clay-like soil of the Mediterranean and oregano growing on the sandy mountains of Greece. They’re also the ones that require less water to grow. Hardy herbs include types with woodier stems, like rosemary, thyme, and oregano.(Mint can be classified as a tender herb, too, but we've found that it can be stored well like a hardy herb, too!). Tender herbs include leafy varieties with soft stems, like basil, parsley, cilantro, and dill.What's the difference between tender and hardy herbs? They add color to otherwise drab-looking pasta, and can be used as a sauce for everything from grains to meat and veggies – pesto or chimichurri, anyone? As beautiful as herbs are, they don’t last long, but here’s how you can store them and use every last leaf. If you are growing thyme in containers, plant with rosemary which also likes sunny conditions and has similar watering needs.Fresh herbs add depth to recipes when added in the beginning and brightness at the end.In the garden, plant thyme near cabbage or tomatoes.The plants should grow 6 to 12 inches in height.Space young plants 12 to 24 inches apart, depending upon the specific variety.This is usually 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost in well-drained soil about 9 inches apart. Plant cuttings or young thyme plants any time after the ground temperature reaches 70☏.For a head start, plant the cuttings indoors 6 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost.Over time, you can propagate from your own cuttings. It’s easier to buy the plants from a garden center or take some cuttings from a friend. It’s hard to grow thyme from seeds because of slow, uneven germination.In early spring, you may fertilize with organic matter, like compost, but not much soil amendment is necessary.Soil needs to drain well so there aren’t “wet feet.” In the garden, plant with other drought-tolerant perennials. ![]() Thyme thrives in full sun and loves heat. If you are growing in a pot indoors, plant near a sunny window.
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