Basil

How to Clean

Run the leaves under cool water, removing any visible dirt or debris. If you have purchased your basil at the store, rather than picking it from your garden, remove any rubber bands, twist ties, or packaging that came with the basil before you wash it.

How to Store

Basil is a delicate herb and will wilt quickly if it is not properly stored. There are two ways to store fresh basil:

1. Store basil in a glass. Submerge the base of the basil bunch in a glass half-filled with water. Store the basil leaves on a kitchen counter away from the oven and other sources of heat. Be sure to avoid direct sunlight when using this method. The basil leaves will keep for four to five days.
2. Store basil wrapped in a paper towel inside an airtight container. Wash and dry the basil, then wrap it in dry paper towels, add it to the container and then store it in the fridge.

Parsley

How to Clean

Remove any discolored leaves. If bought at the store, remove any rubber bands, twist ties, or packaging.

Run the bunch under cool water, removing any visible dirt or debris.

Remove any excess moisture from the parsley before storing. You can pat it dry with paper towels, run it through a salad spinner, or let it dry on the kitchen counter.

How to Store

There are a few methods to store fresh parsley:

1. Store parsley in a glass. Submerge the parsley stems in a glass partially filled with water and transfer it to the fridge.
2. Store parsley wrapped in a damp paper towel in a plastic or resealable silicone bag in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for several days.

Cilantro

How to Clean

Remove any rubber bands, twist ties, and packaging. Examine the cilantro for damaged and discolored leaves and remove them. Gently wash the cilantro under cool running water, rotating the bunch so that it is cleaned thoroughly and evenly. Remove excess moisture by allowing the cilantro to dry on the counter, or you can use a salad spinner. Once dry, you can store the cilantro.

How to Store

There are several ways to store cilantro:

1. Store cilantro between two dry paper towels.
2. Store cilantro with damp paper towels, ensuring the leaves do not dry out while in the fridge. This is the most commonly recommended storage method. First, run a paper towel under cool water, wring it out so that it is only damp, not wet, then gently wrap the cilantro and place it inside a plastic or reusable silicone bag. You can then safely store the cilantro in your produce drawer for later use.

Sage

How to Clean

Remove any packaging like rubber bands or plastic. Remove any dry leaves or leaves with black or brown spots. Next, rinse the sage under cool running water, manually removing any dirt or debris. You can then pat the sage dry with a kitchen towel or paper towel, or run it through a salad spinner.

How to Store

Store sage by wrapping it in a paper towel and storing it in the produce drawer of the fridge.

Thyme

How to Clean

Inspect the bunch for any debris, like small sticks. Rinse the leaves under cool running water. Use your hands to gently agitate the leaves to facilitate the removal of dirt. You can remove excess moisture by patting the thyme dry with paper towels, or you can let it air dry on the counter.

How to Store

Store thyme in one of the following ways:

1. Store it in a damp paper towel. Place a pile of the herbs in a damp paper towel, roll loosely and then store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. It should last for one to two weeks.
2. Store thyme in a jar of fresh water. Place just the base of the thyme stems in cool water in a small glass jar in the refrigerator. Add more water as needed to keep the stems submerged, and change the water every day or so.

Rosemary

How to Clean

Remove any packaging, including twist ties, rubber bands, or plastic clamshells. Remove any leaves with brown or black spots or dried-out leaves. Next, rinse the rosemary under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris. Remove excess moisture by patting it dry with paper towels or running it through a salad spinner.

How to Store

There are several ways to store fresh rosemary:

1. Wrap the rosemary in a damp paper towel and store it in the refrigerator.
2. Another option is to trim the ends of the rosemary stems and store them in a glass that is partially filled with water. Be sure to change the water when it becomes murky or cloudy to keep the rosemary fresh, and remove any leaves that are submerged in the water.

Mint

How to Clean

Remove any packaging such as rubber bands or twist ties. Inspect the mint for any brown, black, or wilted leaves and remove them. Then rinse the mint leaves under cool running water, removing any visible dirt or debris. After the mint has been washed, remove any excess moisture from the bunch by patting it dry with paper towels or running it through a salad spinner.

How to Store

There are several ways to store mint:

1. Wrap the mint leaves in a damp paper towel and store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. You will want to leave the top of the bag open.
2. Trim the ends of the mint stems and place them in a glass partially filled with water, like you would with a bouquet of flowers. You can store the mint on the counter or in the refrigerator. If you are storing the mint in the refrigerator, it tends to last longer if you carefully cover the leaves with a loose plastic bag. Be sure to change the water when it gets cloudy.

Tarragon

How to Clean

Remove any packaging from the grocery store, including plastic containers, rubber bands, or twist ties. Remove any wilted, dried, black, or brown leaves. Then, remove any visible dirt or debris. Run the tarragon under cool water, pat it dry with a kitchen towel or paper towel, or run it through a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.

How to Store

Store tarragon by wrapping the fresh herbs in a damp paper towel, placing them in an airtight container, and storing them in the produce drawer of the refrigerator.

Dill

How to Clean

Be sure to wash the dill under gently running cool water. If the dill is coming from the grocery store, be sure to remove any packaging, rubber bands, or twist ties that come with the dill bunch prior to washing. Then run the dill under the water, turning it to ensure that it is evenly and thoroughly cleaned. Let the dill drip dry by the sink or remove any excess moisture by running it through a salad spinner. Examine the bunch for any damaged or discolored leaves. If you spot brown or black spots, remove this portion of the dill and discard it.

How to Store

The most common way to store dill is by wrapping it in a damp paper towel and placing it inside a plastic or reusable silicone bag. You will then want to store the dill in your produce drawer.

Chives & Scallions (Green Onions)

How to Clean

Remove any dry or damaged shoots. Discard any packaging like plastic containers, rubber bands, or twist ties. If there are any shoots with black spots, brown spots, or flowers, remove and discard these as well. Next, rinse the chives under cold running water. Remove any pieces of dirt or debris present. Run the chives through a salad spinner to dry them, or pat them dry with a kitchen towel or paper towel.

How to Store

Store fresh chives or scallions (green onions) in one of these ways:

1. Store them in a glass of water in the fridge. Snip the base of the chives and store them in a glass partially filled with cool, clean water. If your chives are long, try covering them with a sandwich bag. Be sure to change the water when it becomes murky.
2. Store them in a damp paper towel in a plastic or reusable silicone bag. The chives can then be stored in the refrigerator.

Oregano

How to Clean

Remove any packaging, rubber bands, or twist ties. Remove any leaves that are dried out, brown, black, or wilted. Rinse the oregano under cool running water. Remove excess moisture from the bunch by running it through a salad spinner or patting it dry with paper towels.

How to Store

There are multiple ways to store fresh oregano:

1. Wrap the oregano bunch in a damp paper towel and store it in a plastic or reusable silicone bag in the refrigerator.
2. Cut the ends off the bunch and store the oregano in a glass partially filled with water. You can loosely cover the leaves with a plastic bag and store the oregano in the refrigerator, or you can store the glass on the counter with no cover. Change the water when it becomes cloudy to keep your oregano fresh.