Tips forFreezing Herbs
Using fresh herbs is the best way to enjoy their flavor, but nowadays, due to busy schedules and working women, it is difficult and time-consuming to buy fresh herbs every time. Therefore, many families prefer to freeze herbs and store them in the freezer. In this section ofSelMagzwe will introduce you to the proper methods for freezing herbs.
Best Ways to Freeze Herbs
Frozen herbs can be stored in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. If kept longer, their nutritional value remains, but their aromatic properties decrease. To freeze herbs:
1. Prepare the amount of herbs you need, wash and peel them, soak in water with salt for about half an hour, then rinse three times.
2. Chop the herbs with a sharp knife. A sharp knife prevents crushing and preserves the texture and nutrients of the herbs.
3. After chopping, give the herbs slight heat, but avoid frying them in oil. The herbs will release water and steam during heating, so let the moisture evaporate.
4. Once completely cooled, divide the herbs into small portions suitable for your meals and place them in freezer bags. Freeze in small batches (single-serving sizes). For example, if you plan to use the herbs in 4 servings, pack them into 4 separate bags or containers.
Methods of Freezing Herbs
Other methods for freezing herbs include:
Placing herbs in hot water:
You can do this for herbs that don’t need cooking, like soup greens orherbs for soup.To preserve the color and prevent darkening during freezing, dip herbs in hot water for a few minutes to reduce their volume and save space in the freezer.
Freezing herbs in ice cubes:
You can prepare plastic, silicone, or metal ice cube trays. Fill each cavity with one or two tablespoons of chopped herbs and add a tablespoon of water. If your herbs are watery, you can freeze them without adding water by pressing the chopped herbs into the tray. Alternatively, use a tablespoon ofolive oilinstead.
Pour the herbs into the ice cube trays.
Freezing herbs with chicken broth:
If you plan to use herbs in soups, it’s better to freeze them in chicken or meat broth. After cooking chicken, meat, or bones, strain the broth and pour it into ice cube trays with the chopped herbs. Freeze until solid, then transfer the frozen cubes to a suitable container. When needed, take out the required amount and return the rest to the freezer. Herbs frozen this way can be stored for 2 to 3 months.
Freezing Herbs
Important tips to follow when freezing herbs:
After washing, freezing is the best method for storing herbs. However, consider the quality of the herbs you buy to maintain good flavor and nutrition after freezing.
Use proper food storage containers or freezer bags marked for freezing to prevent contamination and ensure safety.Proper packaging prevents impurities from entering the herbs and keeps them fresh and safe to consume.
If your package is large, you can break it into smaller portions and store the rest in the freezer, making sure not to contaminate the packaging.
As mentioned in theHousekeeping Tipssection by SelMagz, avoid repeatedly removing frozen herbs from the freezer and returning them, as this reduces their nutritional value and causes loss of vitamins, minerals, and aromatic compounds.
Important Tips for Freezing Herbs
Never fry herbs with oil before freezing, as harmful substances from the oil can be stored in the herbs.
The herbs should be packed in flat, uniform portions and stored in the freezer.
Make sure your freezer isn’t too full, allowing cold air to circulate, which helps the herbs to freeze properly and maintain quality. Temperature fluctuations can prevent proper freezing and reduce the quality of herbs.
