The Skinny on... Herbs

With flavors that range from delicate to downright mindblowing, fresh herbs are culinary magic.

Article By: Debbie Koenig, Lesley Porcelli

Tips on Buying, Storing and Growing
Fresh vs. Dried: The difference is indisputable: Fresh tastes more sprightly and more complex, and looks prettier too. But dried herbs are useful in their own way — they hold up better over long simmering times. Use 1/3 as much dried as fresh (1 teaspoon dried = 1 tablespoon fresh). Store Them Right: Fresh herbs can last a week and often more, provided you store them correctly. Treat leafy herbs like parsley and basil like freshly cut flowers — snip off the ends and place in a glass with about an inch of water. Cut some ventilation holes in a plastic bag and slip it over the top. They’ll last longest in the fridge, but the countertop works well too; just change the water every 2 days. Store woodsy herbs like oregano, rosemary and thyme in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer, loosely wrapped in plastic. Grow Your Own: All you need is a pot and a window to grow your own herb garden. They’re among the easiest plants to grow, and once they’re thriving, you can snip off exactly what you need.

Tips on Buying, Storing and Growing

Fresh vs. Dried: The difference is indisputable: Fresh tastes more sprightly and more complex, and looks prettier too. But dried herbs are useful in their own way — they hold up better over long simmering times. Use 1/3 as much dried as fresh (1 teaspoon dried = 1 tablespoon fresh).
Store Them Right: Fresh herbs can last a week and often more, provided you store them correctly. Treat leafy herbs like parsley and basil like freshly cut flowers — snip off the ends and place in a glass with about an inch of water. Cut some ventilation holes in a plastic bag and slip it over the top. They’ll last longest in the fridge, but the countertop works well too; just change the water every 2 days. Store woodsy herbs like oregano, rosemary and thyme in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer, loosely wrapped in plastic.
Grow Your Own: All you need is a pot and a window to grow your own herb garden. They’re among the easiest plants to grow, and once they’re thriving, you can snip off exactly what you need.