My ‘flower’ tip ensures that fresh herbs will last for a month and will save you a lot of money
A FOODIE has shared her simple trick to make fresh herbs last for up to a month.
So if you are on a budget and are tired of buying spices that only turn slimy in a few days, then you have come to the right place.
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Thanks to Kathleen Ashmore, a chef and recipe developer from the US, who recently shared how to keep cucumbers crispy for weeks, you’ll never have to worry about your herbs drying out, because her ‘flower’ hack will keep your herbs preserved for weeks fresh.
And according to the food lover, it saves you a lot of money because it works every time.
Kathleen took to social media to share her “food storage hack,” which she claimed “works best with leafy herbs.”
She revealed how to make fresh herbs that “will keep for up to a month”, as she explained: “This will save you a lot of money – fresh herbs need enough oxygen so the moisture doesn’t get trapped and get all slimy, but they don’t need so much oxygen that they dry out and harm you, so here’s how we create a really quick, perfect environment.
So she advised, “We’re actually going to treat them like flowers – so take a pair of kitchen shears and cut the bottom off so you have a brand new bottom that can absorb a lot of water.
“Then I just rinse them and gently pat them dry with a clean tea towel.
“Then fill a jar or glass with a few inches of water and you’re going to put the stems right in there.”
Kathleen explained that you will need a plastic bag; you can use any plastic bag, including the one the herbs come in.
Then once you have your bag, simply place it over the top of the pot and put an elastic band around it to keep it in place.
After this, she recommended: “Place it in the refrigerator and change the water as soon as it starts to really brown. It works every time.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @katcancookhas clearly left many with their mouths open as it quickly racked up 70,000 views.
Social media users were grateful for Kathleen’s neat trick, with many flocking to the comments to express it.
I’ll definitely try it
TikTok user
One person said: “Yes! I saw your post about this a few months ago, I tried it with green onion and cilantro and I was blown away.
“It’s no exaggeration that my green onion lasted more than two weeks.”
Hacks to Keep Food Fresh in Your Refrigerator
IF you want your food to stay fresh, try these handy hacks…
- Herbs in water: Store fresh herbs such as parsley and coriander in a glass of water and cover with a plastic bag to keep them fresh for weeks.
- Wrap greens in paper towels: Wrap leafy greens in paper towels before placing them in a plastic bag. The towels absorb excess moisture and prevent wilting.
- Use Mason Jars: Store salads, chopped vegetables and even leftovers in glass jars. They are airtight and keep food fresh for longer.
- Breathing new life into old bread: Sprinkle a little water on old bread and place it in the oven for a few minutes to make it fresh again.
- Baking soda against odors: Place an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb odors and keep food tasting fresh.
- Freeze herbs in olive oil: Finely chop the herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray. This preserves the taste and makes them easy to use.
- Keep cheese fresh: Wrap cheese in wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Greaseproof paper allows the cheese to breathe, keeping it from becoming slimy.
- Store avocados with onions: Place a sliced avocado in an airtight container with a slice of onion. The sulfur compounds in the onion slow down oxidation, keeping the avocado fresh.
- Use Vinegar Wax for Berries: Rinse the berries in a mixture of water and vinegar (one cup of vinegar to three cups of water) before storing. This kills bacteria and mold spores, extending its shelf life.
- Freshness test of eggs: To check if the eggs are still fresh, place them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, while old ones will float.
Implement these smart hacks to maximize the freshness of your food and get the most out of your shopping.
Another added: “I tried it and it’s amazing how long my cilantro and parsley last!”
A third commented: “Love this! I kept mine in a jar of water, but I didn’t know to cover it. I’ll definitely try it.”
While someone else wrote: “Oh I’m trying! I love coriander, but it always goes bad within a week.”
