Content
Parsley is a popular culinary herb that contains vitamins and minerals. A spice bought in a store is inferior in taste and aroma to one picked from one’s own garden. But it is not always possible to regularly go to the dacha and replenish supplies. Therefore, it is important to know how to store parsley in the refrigerator to keep it fresh for as long as possible.
The importance of proper storage
Greens grown under film under artificial lighting and with the addition of fertilizers are practically devoid of useful microelements. This parsley contains more nitrates than vitamins.
Grass collected from the beds, properly stored in the refrigerator, will retain all the useful components throughout the winter.
Conditions and terms of storage of fresh parsley
At a relative humidity of 95-100% and an air temperature of +10 ᵒC, parsley can be stored for up to seven days.In the bottom compartment of the refrigerator, the cooking spice will remain suitable for cooking for three weeks. To better preserve it, it is recommended to place it in a plastic bag.
When frozen, parsley has a shelf life of several months.
How to prepare parsley for storage
The most important thing is to properly prepare the herb for storage in the refrigerator. If mistakes are made at this stage, the parsley will not last long. It will start to disappear and will have to be disposed of.
If the culinary seasoning is cut from your own garden, there are no obvious signs of contamination, and there is no need to wash it. Water will wash away the protective film from the leaves and they will wither faster.
General recommendations on how to properly store parsley in the refrigerator:
- The greens are sorted, damaged, dry, rotting and yellowing branches are selected. Such components of the bundle will only speed up the process of spoilage of the product and give the spice an unpleasant odor.
- If the parsley is not cut from the garden bed, but torn out with its roots, they are removed. This must be done, as they rot first.
- Store-bought parsley should be washed.
- Dry the grass.
It is necessary to wash the product correctly:
- Take cold water into a bowl and let it sit for 2-3 hours.
- Take the greens in bunches and rinse them carefully in water.
- The rinsing procedure is repeated twice more. They take clean water, but do not settle it.
After three ablutions, the parsley is dried. If the grass is stored with drops of water, it will quickly begin to rot. First, carefully shake off the water, then spread the greens in a thin layer on a paper towel. To remove moisture from the top layer, the grass is blotted with another towel.
How to Store Parsley at Room Temperature
In a heated or hot room at room temperature, the spice quickly loses vitamin C. The grass begins to wither within a few hours after being cut. To extend the period during which the greens are suitable for consumption, they are wrapped in a napkin or parchment paper and placed in a cool, dark place.
How to keep parsley fresh longer in the refrigerator
Parsley in the refrigerator should be placed on a shelf equipped for storing vegetables, or in special compartments.
Containers that are suitable for storing parsley in the refrigerator:
- paper towels;
- plastic bag;
- Plastic container;
- glass jar.
It is not recommended to use plastic bottles to store the product. The product may absorb the chemical smell of the container.
In a container
Parsley cannot be compacted; the bunch must lie freely in the container.
Parsley can be stored in a container for up to three weeks. In such a container, the product does not dry out and does not lose its beneficial qualities. Place washed, well-dried greens in a clean, dry plastic container, close the lid tightly and place in the refrigerator.
In vacuum bags
Due to the fact that oxygen is completely absent in a vacuum, the product will not lose its aroma and beneficial properties. This will keep the parsley fresh much longer. On average, vacuum-packed greens last 18-20 days.
When choosing a bag or container, experts advise not to focus on price, but to purchase products from well-known manufacturers. Cheap ones often come with a defect - they allow air to pass through.It is also undesirable to purchase containers made of polycarbonate. When they come into contact with food, they release a chemical called bisphenol A, which negatively affects the functioning of the digestive and hormonal systems. It is recommended to buy polypropylene products that are not hazardous to health.
Before use, bags and containers are thoroughly washed and dried. The container is not filled completely, a little more than half. After this, they close it and pump out the air with a special pump.
In a plastic bag
The cheapest way to keep cut parsley fresh longer in the refrigerator for 5-7 days is to place it in a plastic bag. Some housewives adapt it by wrapping a bundle placed in a damp cloth or in a container of water. If the product is stored only in a bag, then before putting it there, sprinkle the parsley with water and then close it tightly. To prevent the greenhouse effect, several very small holes are pierced in the packaging. The bundle is placed in a cold place.
A new bag is needed to store the seasoning in the refrigerator. One that has already been used is not suitable for this purpose.
In kraft paper or paper towel
The method of preserving spices in paper has become widespread, but, according to experts, it is ineffective
The paper only retains moisture, but does not protect the leaves from contact with oxygen, which leads to rotting of the parsley.
How to properly store:
- the bundle is wrapped in a paper towel or craft paper, like a roll;
- the surface is moistened with a spray bottle.
Similarly, the spice is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 3-5 days.
The paint contains lead which will quickly penetrate the product. This can lead to poisoning of the body.
In a jar of water
A great way to store cooking herbs is to place the parsley in a jar of water. Before lowering the bunch into water, the stems are slightly trimmed, and the thread that is usually used to tie the parsley is removed. The greens are sorted, removing wilted and spoiled ones. In this case, only the stems are dipped into the liquid, avoiding leaves. The upper part is wrapped with damp gauze or a plastic bag.
For some time now, special plastic containers have become available for sale, which allows you to extend the storage of greens in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The container is a container consisting of two halves. Pour water into the lower part and insert the grass, then cover with a lid. This way the parsley doesn’t become weathered and looks as if it had just been cut from the garden yesterday.
With onions
This method allows you to keep fresh parsley in the refrigerator longer. The number of bulbs used depends on the volume of greens.
How to store parsley in the refrigerator for a long time:
- Only the stems are washed under water; the upper part of the bunch is not wet.
- Cut the onion into several parts (from 4 to 8).
- Place onions at the bottom of a container or other container, and greens on top.
- When the bulb stops emitting a specific smell, it is replaced with a new one. The procedure is carried out approximately every 4-5 days.
With this method of storing parsley in the refrigerator, it remains fresh for several weeks.
In glass
Freshly cut greens are packaged in glass jars, then hermetically sealed with nylon lids, which help maintain the required level of humidity inside the container and limit the flow of oxygen. This method allows you to store parsley in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Condensation must be removed periodically. Another drawback is that the jar takes up a lot of space.
Conclusion
There are several rules for storing parsley in the refrigerator, compliance with which guarantees long-term use of the greens. If all manipulations are carried out correctly, the culinary seasoning will retain all the beneficial vitamins and microelements, as well as taste.
