Preserving Fresh Herbs
Preserving herbs is about managing moisture and temperature to capture their oils before they dissipate. Hardier, woody herbs like rosemary and thyme dry best, while delicate, soft-stemmed herbs like basil and parsley require freezing or oil suspension to maintain their character.
Clean, dry, and sort by texture
Sort your herbs into two camps: woody stems like sage or oregano, and tender leaves like cilantro or tarragon. Never wash herbs until you are ready to process them, as trapped moisture leads to immediate decay.
- Salad spinner
- Parchment paper
- Ice cube trays
- Heavy-duty freezer bags
Moisture control
Freezing herbs in oil prevents freezer burn and keeps the leaves from turning black, while air-drying works only for herbs with low water content.
The method.
Wash and spin
Submerge bunches in cold water to dislodge grit. Use a salad spinner until no water droplets remain; excess surface moisture ruins the texture during freezing.
Oil suspension for tender herbs
Chop tender herbs and pack them into ice cube tray slots until two-thirds full. Cover with olive or grapeseed oil, leaving a small gap for expansion, and freeze solid.
Air-drying for woody herbs
Bundle stems with twine and hang upside down in a dark, dry room with consistent airflow. When the leaves crumble easily between your fingers, pull them from the stems and store in an airtight jar.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Label your freezer bags with the date and type; basil cubes look identical to parsley cubes once frozen.
If air-drying, avoid direct sunlight, which bleaches the color and leaches the essential oils.
When using herb-in-oil cubes, drop them directly into the pan for sautéing; the oil is already prepped for the heat.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I dry basil in the oven?
It is not recommended. Oven heat often cooks the herb rather than drying it, leading to a loss of the bright, distinct aroma.
How long do frozen herb cubes last?
They retain their best quality for about three to four months before they begin to take on the characteristics of the freezer.
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