Storage life and conditions of basil (fresh, dried, frozen)

The herb adds a vibrant flavor to a dish and can be a wonderful addition to any culinary creation. Basil is a clear confirmation of this. It has a whole range of beneficial properties and has a pleasant, slightly menthol aroma. Many people are interested in the question of how to store basil fresh, since this herb has found wide use in medicine and cosmetology.

Is it possible to save basil for the whole winter?

I found out how you can preserve your favorite product throughout the winter. It turns out that frozen, dried and marinated basil lasts the longest and retains its beneficial properties.

The main thing is to adhere to certain rules, then you will have the aromatic spice at your fingertips all year round.

Don't want to deal with storage? You can grow basil at home on the windowsill and the storage issue will disappear by itself.

Common Mistakes

Newbies in this business often make mistakes:

• use wilted basil leaves;
• freeze stems and shoots in large containers;
• jars are poorly sterilized when canning;
• use old oil for freezing;
• do not wash the leaves well or do it with hot water;
• overdried shoots lose their aroma and some of their properties.

Basil is an aromatic herb used in cooking. It gives dishes a pleasant flavor. The plant is grown independently or purchased ready-made in the store. Homemade basil has a more persistent smell than store-bought basil. Using it in dishes not only improves taste.

Choosing a storage location

I have decided on the methods, all that remains is to choose a suitable storage location. I made this table for you:

I will use almost all methods: dry basil is good for soup, fresh frozen goes in salads, marinated in wine is suitable for sauce for meat.

Don't like the aroma of basil? Take a look at how to grow green onions in a window - a wonderful way to prevent colds.

Which method takes the longest?

• The longest shelf life is deep freezing at temperatures below -18 degrees . In this form, basil, if it has not been thawed, can theoretically be stored forever. In practice, it will last 3-4 years without loss.
• In second place is drying . Over time, dried leaves lose their properties, but in tight packaging and away from dampness they can be safely stored for up to 2 years.
• Preservations - in the form of paste, puree , etc. If they are stored in sterile jars, they last for up to 1 year.
• Fresh storage . Alas, here the period is measured in a matter of days.

Storage requirements

If you are going to store fresh basil at home, consider the following requirements:

1. Fresh food stays in the room longer if it is not exposed to sunlight.
2. The twigs stay fresh in a glass of water for up to 3 weeks, if the container is covered with a bag.
3. If storing in the refrigerator, do not wash the basil.
4. Before drying and freezing, the spice must be washed and dried.
5. Dried ideally retains the aroma in a hermetically sealed container in a dark place.

Watch the video recipe for making delicious basil pasta.

In a refrigerator

Dear housewives, if I plan to use fresh seasoning within a week, I leave it in the refrigerator, after wrapping the bunch in a damp towel.

If I leave it for a longer period, I store it differently.

• I wash the branches and dry them.
• I cut the leaves and put them in a glass jar with a screw cap.
• I add some salt or oil.
• Leave the leaves in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

At room temperature

The shelf life in the room is reduced to a week if the room temperature is more than 25 degrees. If the temperature is 16-18 degrees, the basil can be placed in a glass of water - this way it will remain fresh for 2 weeks (change the water every 2 days and avoid direct sunlight on the leaves).

Fresh sprigs are best stored in the refrigerator

Long-term storage

In my experience, dear friends, basil lasts longer in wine or vinegar. Check out the recipe for preparing winter spices in wine.

Ingredients

• Basil leaves - ½ cup.
• Apple wine or cider vinegar - 2 cups.

Instructions

• I wash and dry the leaves.
• I cut them smaller with a sharp knife.
• I put it in a dark glass bottle with a tightly screwed cap.
• I fill it with liquid.
• I insist in a room in a dark place for 30 days.
• I use both the leaves and the marinade in cooking.
• Store in a cool place, preferably in the refrigerator, for more than 6 months.

Author's note

Natalia Papanova

Blog author

An excellent tonic and vitamin drink is made from basil sprigs with lemon; I roll it up like a compote in 3-liter containers. I put 300 g of sugar, a couple of lemon slices and 3 sprigs of spice on a jar, boil it and roll it up.

Freezing method

Freezing allows you to preserve your favorite product for a long period. There are several methods of freezing, I will tell you more below.

Do you freeze basil?

Not really

Freezing preserves the taste and beneficial qualities of the product.

I store basil for up to a year in small bags so as not to refreeze.

Chopped basil for paste

In the vegetable compartment

If I don’t plan to store basil for a long time, I put it in a container with a lid and put it in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment. Or I just wrap it in cling film and try to pack the branches separately from each other. Stays for more than 15 days.

Conservation

The spice is often used in preparing a variety of sauces and salad dishes. To do this, you can preserve basil. You can do it this way:

1. The washed and dried leaves are placed entirely in a sterile container, alternating each layer of spice with a ball of salt. On average, for every 100 grams of basil you will need 25 grams of salt.
2. Then generously pour the spice with vegetable oil so that it reaches the edges of the dish.
3. Cover the jars with canned basil and refrigerate.

Storing basil in vegetable oil allows you to use the seasoning at any time in preparing delicious dishes.

If you don’t want to dry or freeze greens, you can pickle the product. Pickled basil can be used within 12 months. The recipe is as follows:

1. Wash the raw materials.
2. Sterilize jars.
3. Arrange the leaves and salt in layers.
4. Press the spice a little so that the basil raw material releases juice.
5. Roll up the container with a lid and place in the refrigerator.

A food vacuum makes it possible to remove all oxygen from the bag. Thanks to this, the product can last 3-5 times longer, because dangerous organisms, such as microbacteria, grow much more slowly inside the vacuum.

Note! This approach almost eliminates the possibility of frostbite, since the basil is not in direct contact with cold air.

For those who plan to constantly use vacuum packaging for spices, you will need to buy a special device that automates the process. Clean and dry basil raw materials are sealed in vacuum packaging using an automatic or manual pump.

How to Preserve Basil for the Winter

Dear readers, in order to use the seasoning all winter, I dry it, freeze it, or can it. I will describe how to properly prepare basil for the winter in step-by-step instructions.

An equally important component in cooking is bay leaf, which I also grow.