Why Your Green Herbs Wilt In A Day, And The Bunch-Saving Trick

Treat them like flowers, not leftovers.

You bring home a beautiful bunch of fresh herbs, shove it in the fridge drawer, and a day later it is slimy and limp. Fresh herbs are more delicate than they look, and they need the right kind of care.

Soft herbs like coriander, parsley and basil are basically leafy stems that still want to drink. Left dry and crushed in a drawer, they dehydrate and rot quickly, taking your money with them.

Trim the stems and stand the bunch upright in a glass with a little water, like a bouquet. Cover leafy ones loosely with a bag in the fridge, though basil prefers to sit out on the counter instead.

Change the water every couple of days and pick off any leaves that turn. Treat your herbs like the fresh cut greens they are and a bunch that once died overnight can last a week or more.