A FOODIE has shared her simple trick that makes fresh herbs last for up to a month.
So if you’re on a budget and are fed up with buying herbs, only for them to go slimy within just a few days, then you’ve come to the right place.
Thanks to Kathleen Ashmore, a chef and recipe developer from the US, who recently shared how to keep cucumbers crunchy for weeks, you’ll never have to worry about your herbs drying out, as with her ‘flowers’ hack, your herbs will stay fresh for weeks.
And according to the food enthusiast, it will save you loads of cash as 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 “last for up to a month”, as she explained: “This is gonna save you a lot of money – fresh herbs need enough oxygen so that the moisture won’t get trapped and they won’t get all slimy, but they don’t need so much oxygen that they will get dry and go bad on you, so here’s how we create a really quick, perfect environment.”
As a result, she advised: “We’re gonna basically treat them like flowers – so take a pair of kitchen scissors and just cut off the bottoms, so that you’ve got a brand new bottom to soak up a lot of water.
“Then I just rinse them and I’m gonna pat them dry gently with a clean kitchen towel.
“Then fill up a jar or glass with a few inches of water and you’re gonna put the stems right in there.”
Kathleen explained that you’ll then need a plastic bag – you can use any plastic bag, including the bag that the herbs came in.
Then, when you’ve got your bag, you simply place it over the top of the jar, and put a rubber band around it to secure it in place.
Following this, she recommended: “Pop it in your fridge and change the water whenever it starts to get really brown. It works every time.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @katcancook, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 70,000 views.
Social media users were thankful for Kathleen’s handy trick, and many flocked to the comments to express this.
I will 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 mind blown.
“This is not an exaggeration that my green onion lasted over two weeks.”
Hacks for Keeping Food Fresh in Your Fridge
IF you want your food to stay fresh, you’ll need to try out this useful hacks…
- Herbs in Water: Store fresh herbs like parsley and coriander in a glass of water, then 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, preventing wilting.
- Use Mason Jars: Store salads, chopped vegetables, and even leftovers in mason jars. They are airtight and keep food fresher for longer.
- Revive Stale Bread: Sprinkle a bit of water on stale bread and pop it in the oven for a few minutes to make it fresh again.
- Baking Soda for Odours: Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odours and keep food tasting fresh.
- Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil: Chop herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray. This preserves their flavour and makes them easy to use.
- Keep Cheese Fresh: Wrap cheese in wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Wax paper allows the cheese to breathe, preventing it from becoming slimy.
- Store Avocados with Onions: Place a cut avocado in an airtight container with a slice of onion. The sulphur compounds in the onion slow down oxidation, keeping the avocado fresh.
- Use Vinegar Wash for Berries: Rinse berries in a mixture of water and vinegar (one cup of vinegar to three cups of water) before storing. This kills bacteria and mould spores, extending their shelf life.
- Egg Freshness Test: To check if eggs are still fresh, place them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, while old ones will float.
Implement these clever hacks to maximise the freshness of your food and make the most of your groceries.
Another added: “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 will definitely try it.”
Whilst someone else penned: “Oh I’m trying it! I love cilantro but it always goes bad within a week.”
