How To Make Fresh Coriander Last Longer
Wish your veggies stayed fresh for longer? Us too! Here's a hack that'll cut you some slack.
Now, onto coriander...
We all love the complementary bunch of fresh coriander and green chillies while we shop for our vegetables. Coriander has the ability to instantly enhance the flavour of every dish it's put in. From curries and rice to garnishing snacks - it works for all. But do you also find it a task to maintain their freshness before they rot?
We're here to save your day! If you're looking for ways to make your fresh coriander leaves last longer, follow the steps below for some amazing results!
Method 1 - Moist Paper Towel Method
Step 1 - Trim off the dry tip from each stem of coriander on a chopping board and also remove any damaged leaves.
#BorosilTip - Trim the stems under cool running water to keep the ends fresh.
Step 2 - Soak the coriander in cool water to cover the stems for 5-10 minutes. This removes the dirt and debris from the leaves.
Step 3 - Remove the coriander from the water and transfer it onto clean kitchen towels and spread them to dry almost completely with no dripping water.
Step 4 - Spread the coriander out onto a sheet of a mildly moist, clean paper towel and carefully wrap the herb in the paper towel and cover it from all four sides.
#BorosilTip - Make sure the paper towel is only a little damp.
Step 5 - Place the wrapped coriander in an airtight glass container.
Step 6 - Store the glass container sets in your refrigerator for a week or so.
This method is very effective if you only want to keep the coriander fresh for up to five days. The combination of moisture and cool temperatures can keep the coriander at optimum freshness and vibrancy for a few days, but if you need to keep it fresh for a longer period of time, you should consider methods 2 and 3.
Also Read: Soya Keema Lettuce Cups Recipe
Method 2 - Dry Paper Towel Method
Step 1 - Trim the ends to cut off any dry tips from the stems of the coriander on a chopping board from your bunch. You should also remove any old or damaged leaves.
#BorosilTip - It's also a good idea to cut off the tough stems completely for this method. The stems aren't necessary since they won't be drawing in any moisture, and removing them can make it easier to fit the coriander into a storage container.
Step 2 - Dry the coriander completely. If it's even a little moist, you should dry it with clean paper towels or by putting it through a spin in a salad spinner.
#BorosilTip - Coriander will go bad much faster if the leaves are still wet, so it's crucial that you get as much water off as possible. To be on the safer side, the best option is to spin the coriander in a salad spinner and spread the stems out in a single layer on a dry kitchen towel. Place the towel in direct sunlight for a few hours to further dry the coriander.
Step 3 - Layer the coriander in between layers of dry paper towel. Place a sheet of dry paper towel at the bottom of a glass storage container. Arrange a single layer of coriander on top of it, then cover it with another paper towel. Repeat this pattern, alternating back and forth between coriander and paper towel layers.
#BorosilTip - If possible, only keep one layer of coriander in a glass storage container. Crowding the container with too much of the herb can actually cause problems. Regardless of how many layers you have, the bottom and top layers should both be paper towel layers. Snap the container shut when done. Make sure that the seal is airtight. It is advisable to only use glass containers for this method. Unlike plastic, glass will not harbour bacteria or leach toxins into the food product.
Step 4 - Keep it in the refrigerator and it should stay fresh for 2-3 weeks!
#BorosilTip - Check the coriander periodically during this time. Look through the sides of the container if using clear plastic, or quickly remove the lid and peek inside if using a container made of tinted plastic. Remove any wilted or discoloured coriander. If you notice any moisture, dry the container and send your coriander for another spin in the salad spinner.
Method 3 - Water Container Method
Step 1 - Trim off the dry tips from each stem of the coriander.
Step 2 - Dry the leaves if they have any noticeable moisture on them with clean, dry paper towels or by running them through a salad spinner.
#BorosilTip - Even though the stems will be wet for this method, it's important that the leaves remain dry. The coriander will wither much quicker if you allow the leaves to remain wet.
Step 3 - Fill the bottom quarter of a sturdy glass jar with cool water. Arrange the coriander inside the glass after that, making sure that all the cut stem ends are submerged.
#BorosilTip - The cut ends should be submerged, but the leaves should remain above the surface of the water. If a few leaves dip under the water, either reduce the amount of water in the jar or trim off the bottom leaves.
Step 4 - Cover with a plastic bag by placing a resealable plastic bag over the top of the coriander and let the opening of the bag remain loose.
#BorosilTip - Don't secure the bag onto the jar with a rubber band or anything else. The opening of the bag should fall below the mouth of the glass. In other words, the leafy portion of the coriander needs to be completely covered with the bag.
Step 5 - Change the water periodically. Knowing when to change the water is as easy as taking a look at the glass. As soon as the water starts to become discoloured, it is time to swap it out for a fresher water supply.
#BorosilTip - Check the condition of the coriander when you change the water. Snip off any ends with wilting leaves or stems before returning the coriander to the fresh jar of water.
Step 6 - Store the glass jar in your refrigerator. When using this method, coriander can stay fresh for up to 2 weeks, if not longer.
#BorosilTip - The cold temperature is just as important to this method as the water itself. If you leave the coriander out at room temperature, it will only last for a week at most. Coriander kept in this manner has been known to remain fresh for a little over four weeks when stored in the refrigerator!
