April 7, 2018

How to Store Cilantro

cilantro, coriander, hot to keep, how to store, parsley, 胡荽葉, 芫茜, 香菜, grow

Here's our easy and handy dandy tip for storing Cilantro, also known as Coriander, 香菜 or 芫茜.  Cilantro is used in so many Chinese dishes that it is almost as necessary as spring onion and ginger.  It's fresh green leaves and citrusy, slightly bitter, slightly peppery taste not only freshens your dish up with a lively blast of green but can bring the dish up to the next taste level as well.  

But the thing that was always annoying with cilantro was that by the next day, no matter what I did, the cilantro would be limp and start turning yellow.  Yiks!  What to do?!

cilantro, coriander, hot to keep, how to store, parsley, 胡荽葉, 芫茜, 香菜, grow

Well here's a solution that works a treat!  It turns out that cilantro is a creature of winter, well, at least of very cold temperatures.  Sticking cilantro in water (like how we store and grow spring onions) never works and the cilantro wilts like a neglected wall flower by the second day.  This is because, like the Snow Queen Elsa, cilantro loves to live in a cold frosty climate, basically your fridge!  

So, in order to have long lasting cilantro around when you need it (everyday!) just be sure and buy cilantro with the roots intact.  Wash only the cilantro you need that day and leave the rest unwashed so as to keep them dry.

cilantro, coriander, hot to keep, how to store, parsley, 胡荽葉, 芫茜, 香菜, grow

In a glass jar add enough water to just cover the roots.  Stick in the cilantro and cover loosely with a bag.  I just loop the bag over and leave the bag bunched but untied around the jar.  Keep the loosely covered jar in your fridge and your lovely cilantro will stay fresh for several days.  

cilantro, coriander, hot to keep, how to store, parsley, 胡荽葉, 芫茜, 香菜, grow

Ta-da!  This is the same cilantro after 2 days in the fridge.  Magic... amirite?  Like I said this plant loves the cold frosty climes.  Just pluck off whatever you need and keep the rest in the fridge.  

Add a bit of water if needed though I usually find that we use up the cilantro before needing to add water.  Remember that the stalk of the cilantro is just as good as the leaves, just chop them up small and sprinkle over to get that burst of cilantro fresh!
How to Store Cilantro 芫茜保存方法
Prep time:    Cook time: 

Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch cilantro with roots
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 glass jar
  • 1 small plastic bag

Directions:

Remove the cilantro you need to use immediately, washing, rinsing and preparing as needed.  

For the cilantro you wish to store, do not wash.  Add water and cilantro to jar, making sure the roots are covered.  Cover all with plastic bag, bunching the bag loosely at the bottom of the jar.  Store in the refrigerator.  

It will keep for 4-5 days.  Change the water every couple of days.  When more cilantro is needed just pluck or cut off what you need and store the rest in fridge.  Easy peasy!

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