How to Store Basil

Published on Monday, December 3, 2007, by Daniel Duane / Edit Post

How to Store Basil

Daniel Duane shares his method for keeping basil fresh.

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  • The glass in the fridge works well provided the water doesn't freeze or get knocked over. I've had good luck just keeping the cup on the counter in a shady place. And changing the water regularly. I rinse the herbs first, so they are ready for picking and use. The other method of rinsing and putting in a paper towel works well too. And those little methane (?) gas absorbing "eggs" do actually...+READ

    The glass in the fridge works well provided the water doesn't freeze or get knocked over. I've had good luck just keeping the cup on the counter in a shady place. And changing the water regularly. I rinse the herbs first, so they are ready for picking and use. The other method of rinsing and putting in a paper towel works well too. And those little methane (?) gas absorbing "eggs" do actually help extend produce life.-COLLAPSE

  • This is FABULOUS! So glad to find something that works well. Love summertime basil and sick of throwing it away after a day or two! The bunch I bought a week ago is still fresh in the fridge...

  • I've been using this method (mostly on cilantro) for years and it works very well for well over a week.

  • I think that after watching a bunch of these, the only purpose of these tips is to pad the resumes of the presenters. I think that any actual valuable information has been left out.

    For instance, Daniel might have mentioned that if you cut the herbs on an angle (and preferably cut them with the stems underwater), they'll absorb more water. (Do this with fresh flowers too to extend their life)....+READ

    I think that after watching a bunch of these, the only purpose of these tips is to pad the resumes of the presenters. I think that any actual valuable information has been left out.

    For instance, Daniel might have mentioned that if you cut the herbs on an angle (and preferably cut them with the stems underwater), they'll absorb more water. (Do this with fresh flowers too to extend their life). As with flowers, I'd guess that changing the water daily would help the herbs last longer.-COLLAPSE

  • I usually rinse my basil, parsley, and cilantro, then snip the stems. I then wrap the fresh herbs in a wet paper towel and store them in a plastic bag. It works great for a week or so.

  • I've used this exact same technique for storing cilantro, with good results. However, I've also heard that you rise your herbs, pat them REALLY dry, and wrap them in a lightly dampened paper towel, that it also works well. The advantage to method #2 is that you can't accidentally knock over a large glass of water in your fridge.