The roots of the plant should have a light white color to indicate that they are healthy. 4 – The basil plant from the store This is the pot of basil that I bought in the supermarket two weeks ago, I kept it on the window sill and in my growing spot with grow lights the last two weeks. Read about how we use cookies and how you can control the ways they are used by clicking "Cookie Settings." Just one of these supermarket plants should keep you in basil for the rest of the summer. Regardless, the origin of the word is still fitting today as basil definitely rules the kitchen. Snip the stems of your fresh basil and place in a glass of water. I have done everything possible by their directions and it alway’s ends up dying the next day or two. Leave the oven door opened slightly to allow steam to escape. I'm able to simply pick off what I need for each meal until the bunch is eventually all gone. If you are only looking to store your fresh basil for a couple of days, Than these are 2 methods you can use. This is much smarter than stocking the freezer with an end-of-times supply of. A layer of gravel should be placed at the bottom to prevent the roots from rotting. Privacy Policy | Terms of service | © 2006-2019 Listonic. Tarragon Chicken Salad Made With Greek Yogurt. 'Tis the season for hoarding way more herbs than you can cook with. It will last up to 2 days when wrapped in a paper towel and put in a plastic bag. The water should come 1/2-1 inch up the stems. DIY dried basil beats the pants off of the store-bought stuff that's been sitting on the shelf for who knows how long. You can also tear the basil leaves and put them in an ice cube tray. Snip the bottoms, put in a jar of water, then cover loosely with a plastic bag and refrigerate. I was able to grow roots on the second try. How long does basil stay fresh in the fridge. This is due to the incorrect storage of the fresh herbs in the supermarket. Basil. Using a knife will bruise the leaves making their color change from pleasing green to unappetizing black. Never chop basil leaves with a knife. Cut the ends of the stems to allow the basil to absorb water more easily. It should be placed immediately in the fridge, or dried and stored in a jar. Remember that it must be an airy place without other distinct fragrances. If healthy and fresh enough, the basil will grow roots and be fun for the whole family because nature is a magical unicorn. Do you have any alternative ways for how to store fresh basil? If they are withered and they have lost their firmness and vividness of color, the basil is rotting. That’s pretty much it as far as growing on the plants on to this stage. We use cookies on listonic.com. I tried to plant my hydroponically rooted basil twice and the poor things died immediately. Just spread out the basil leaves on a baking sheet and let them dry in the coolest setting of your oven (200 degrees or less) for 2 to 4 hours or until very dry and crumbly. Another interesting way to preserve them in the fridge is to put the leaves in a jar and cover them with olive oil before refrigerating. This one is probably the most common method of keeping your basil fresh for a few days. 'Tis the season for hoarding way more herbs than you can cook with. All rights reserved. Therefore, the potted basil plant should be immediately replanted into a larger pot and have its soil changed. Organize your shopping, keep spending on track, create shopping lists fast & easy. Holy basil, known as tulsi in India, has a warm pungent aroma with a mild spicy scent. I have been told that room temperatre or slightly warm water encourages root growth. The refrigerator method. Just keep your plants keep it in full sun with moist roots. The water should come 1/2-1 inch up the stems. You can also dry basil leaves in a shady place, like a shed or an attic. It's a slippery slope into hydroponic systems and more complex methods, so for the purpose of this post (it's lazy after all) I'll keep things simple. Do you need to add nutrients to the water? Hold the plant in one hand and carefully loosen the pot from the roots, and take it off. Then, place the pot with basil in a sunny, dry, and ventilated place. Let us know in the comments. Clean the leaves and rub them with olive oil before putting them in a plastic bag and freezing. This is due to the incorrect storage of the fresh herbs in the supermarket. The fresh basil may continue to grow roots that you can transplant outdoors or grow indoors in a pot. It is one of the world’s most popular herbs, but it’s not only confined to the kitchen. Smell – fresh basil leaves are characterized by its signature lively and intense fragrance If you can’t smell this distinct aroma, then it is far from fresh. The roots ended up being two inches long! I have a friend that say’s she can’t get hers to live. I gave this approach a try with some basil from Peacock Family Farms and it has been a hydroponic champ going on, a month now. The water should come 1/2-1 inch up the stems. Snip the stems if they look funky/mushy. To dry basil, place the leaves on a baking sheet and dry them slowly in the oven at a maximum temperature of 35°c/95°f. Instead, tear them with your fingers. Not bad for a £1.25 investment. What is the best way to preserve fresh basil? A potted basil plant from the store often withers quickly after bringing it home. Even if the basil doesn't root, keeping the stems freshly cut and in a jar of water will help them stay fresh. There’s a silver lining here, though. I suppose if you're planning to turn this into a bigger project - maybe a little herb garden - a nutrient supplement may be beneficial. Holy basil makes a pretty garden plant that attracts bees to the garden. This is much smarter than stocking the freezer with an end-of-times supply of spicy pesto. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. 6 – Check the root system. Try to cut as far above the woody part as possible (if the herbs are a little older) without losing leaves. Both work well, but I actually prefer the quart container method : It has the advantage of containing your bunch, which seems to stymy droopage and … Hi, I purchase the live basil with just the roots every week at the grocery store. The Interwebs speaks the truth. I stored my basil in a jar on the kitchen counter for a month and did nothing more than change the water once a week. This sweet, unique fragrant herb does not keep long after it is picked. Now that you know the secret of store bought basil plants, you’re equipped with knowledge to help you successfully propagate your own at home. (2A)—or tuck it into a quart, leaving the top propped open (2C). A fresh bunch of basil that has been sold cut from the plant shouldn’t be stored on the counter. I'm able to simply pick off what I need for each meal until the bunch is eventually all gone. Basil gets its name from the Greek word ‘basileus’, which means ‘king’ because they believed that only the king could pick it. Keep it in the cloud! Store your basil like a flower bouquet—uncovered!