How to Properly Store Herbs | Design Build Planners

Hi there, Fellow gardeners!

This is AnnahMarie.

Today, Organic Gurlz Gardens of Fort Wayne, Indiana will be sharing information on How to Properly Store Herbs.

Freezing Herbs Whole:

We at Organic Gurlz Gardens practice to preserve our herbs!

Gently wash the leaves and air dry them. Then store in bags with as much air removed as possible.

Organic Gurlz Gardens suggests to leave the zip on the plastic bag slightly open, push the air out, then close all the way. Now you have a perfect, no – air bag!

You may also lay them in a single layer on a cookie sheet, then store in bags when frozen. All you have have to do now is put them in the freezer! 🙂

Ice Cubes:

One of our Methods at Organic Gurlz Gardens is to Freeze herbs in cubes.

Chop then sprinkle into ice cube trays (measure into each cube the most common amount you use in cooking, for example 1 tsp). Cover with water and freeze (can also cover with stock or olive oil). Pop them out once they’re frozen and then re-pack in bags (remove as much air as possible from the bags first). When needed for cooking, just take out a cube and toss it in the dish.

Cool trick from Organic Gurlz Gardens: Try mixing in some of your favorite blends first.

Given this use, the oil-and-freezer method of preservation works best with the tougher, hardy herbs such as Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, and Oregano.

“Soft” herbs such as Mint, Basil, Lemon Verbena, and Dill are usually added raw to a dish, and they don’t respond as well to this kind of preserving. Their fresh taste is changed in the freezer, so it is best to dry them out.

Don’t forget to label each container or bag with the type of herb (and oil) inside! 🙂

Drying Herbs:

At Organic Gurlz Gardens, drying herbs is a common practice.

This slow drying process doesn’t deplete the herbs of their oils. Take sprigs of your “softer” herbs from you home garden and put them in a small rubber band or tie the top of your herbs with string.