How Can You Make Your Herbs Last as Long as Possible?

[@anon8007]

These videos are so helpful and informative. No annoying fast cuts, no dumb jokes, no obnoxious editing. All killer, no filler. Thank you for producing quality content in the age of annoying clickbait garbage.

[@LENZ5369]

Just as a PSA: Contrary to what many are saying in the comments, unless you rarely cook or use herbs; you will not be able to grow enough in a 'pot on the windowsill' -you will need do it outside in either a large planter or a patch in the ground, and even then you would probably still need to buy herbs if you make things like green sauces or cooking for more than just you. 'Herb self sufficiency' quickly becomes a matter of whether you are willing/able to put in the time, effort and resources -unless you enjoy gardening; a few dollars on herbs a week is probably the best route.

[@kindabluejazz]

Hmm, I have basil plants on my kitchen sill and struggle to use all I get. I top the plants judiciously and get plenty of leaves for what I use. It takes a while before they're fully bushy, so I keep two plants at different growth stages, because eventually they outgrow the small pots, so I then pull the plant, and make up a big batch of pesto that I freeze. I have kept the same original plant going, (started from some fresh basil I bought at my grocery store) and re-rooted toppings going on 4 years now. YYMV.

[@LENZ5369]

@@kindabluejazz How much you use per dish and how often? TBH I can't see anyone regularly making a pot of basil and tomato pasta sauce for their family or even more than a cup of pesto from a small indoor plant or 2 -I haven't see any with more than a few dozen leaves at any one time. Maybe we just have different definitions of 'small'?

[@kindabluejazz]

@@LENZ5369 My 2 plants each have grown to over 12-14" high and about 8-10" wide, in 5"x5" pots. I top them a lot, so there are about a dozen separate main branches and many more offshoots. I spin them every couple of days so they get sun all over and fill out like a bush. There would be close to 100 leaves on a plant if I wasn't constantly pulling them off. I make tomato sauce for two about once a week, using about 5-6 leaves in a batch. I use the leaves in Asian style stir-fries, and put them in sandwiches. When the roots get too tight, I take a cutting and start a new plant, and I take all the remaining leaves and make pesto, about a cups worth, which I often freeze if I don't want to use right away. More than enough for me.

[@dizzyboy92]

I'm totally self sustainable for mojito yerbabuena, pesto and margarita pizza basil, and bean stock culantro. Never have I been able to outpace my cilantro needs with homegrown stuff. I use the other stuff every once a week at most, and the cilantro every two days at least.

[@bs-vo1ii]

Unless they have amazing light in there, yes....i have failed miserably many times

[@paulsmith9341]

I use a drinking glass that is glass (for the weight) put a inch or two of water in it, put the herbs in and cover it with recycled produce bag over the whole mess.

[@hrh4961]

I've been doing that for years. And years. We're effin brilliant, Paul!

[@daniellecomeau2996]

Ditto but I use an inverted empty small grape tomato container (without lid) instead of a produce bag. It has ventilation slits in it.

[@MzShonuff123]

I do the ATK method but I roll them individually (parsley, dill, etc) in the damp paper towel and then place them upright in a large Mason jar. This keeps them from getting crushed but also makes it easy for me to remove and replace the rolls. Just don't put a lid on the Mason jar and you should be good. I like the idea of the Cole and Mason but it's too small for the bunches I normally keep.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

exactly my thinking, the jar or any container gives protection at minimal space

[@CrazyEggs123456789]

I don’t have paper towels since I’m trying not to use too many disposable items to do my part for the environment.

[@jjpp2216]

I like this! I don’t like paper towels but will try it with thin kitchen cloths that are sort of near end-of-life. Thank you.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@CrazyEggs123456789ironic: you’ll drive to your grocery store, buy more than you need, drive home, then announce that you’re trying to be environmentally friendly…if you actually were then you’d grow your own and not need the container or paper towel

[@theagta]

Great idea @XM thanks for sharing! I'm going to try with my j-cloths from Ikea. They are reusable, and nice and light so it shouldn't damage the leaves too much.

[@ketowolf]

I really appreciate this straight to the point videos on simple topics that don’t have too much annoying video fluff just to reach a longer video time just for monetization. It makes me WANT to watch these videos and know that I don’t have to sift through fluff to get the real information. Some topics require longer length, sure, but sometimes a simple topic doesn’t need 10 minutes. Good stuff!

[@iahorvath]

I chop up my extra herbs and freeze them in a small tub. It works really well!

[@JC-fb7bm]

So where do you put them for best results? Shelf? Door? LOVE YOUR SHOW!!!

[@oliviagreen8853]

I’ll save you 18 bucks, get an old clean pickle jar with no lid, fill partway with water, place herbs in there, place the produce plastic bag over the entire thing but leave it loose for ventilation, place in fridge. Plus you can reuse the jar for something else when you don’t have herbs to store

[@nat4581]

That's great!

[@mariyoreo]

I've tried that and they were dead in a few hours

[@titania145]

Wouldn't they rot ?

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@mariyoreo if that happened it wasn’t the jar: it was something else

[@oliviagreen8853]

@@titania145 i do this with my herbs and they last a couple months, just change out the water once a week and pick out any suspect ones

[@CharlesLumia]

I saw Jacques Pepin say that he freezes the stems of his cilantro and then adds them to dishes as needed for flavor I haven't tried it myself but fresh cilantro taste throughout the year sounds great to me

[@v7ran]

ATK has a how-to saying to include cilantro stems in recipes if it doesn’t affect texture!

[@MzShonuff123]

I do this for parsley for meatloaf. I don't think I'd freeze any herbs to use for a leafy salad I like to eat but for soups, stews, and meatloaf? Absolutely!

[@KenS1267]

I freeze any herb or herb stem that I can use for stock or soup. If it's going to be strained out before serving or be cooked beyond recognition I really don't care what it looks like and the only real downside to using most frozen herbs is they turn black when thawed

[@ks7343]

I just checked--it 29.99 today. FYI. Still looks worth it to me.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

a normal plastic container and plastic bag with damp paper towel does the exact same thing, you’re only paying for that drop-down part

[@WouldUMind4321]

It’s very annoying. Every time a product sees that Am. Test Kitchen makes them #1. They boots their price right away.

[@Christopher-Yabadabado]

$24.99 today,

[@MrHootiedean]

I literally had a conversation yesterday about growing and protecting my herbs. Great timing!

[@busterbrown446]

lol Your phone is always listening.

[@Skwertydogs]

@@busterbrown446 How come people still don't understand that their phone is listening?

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@Skwertydogs anyone not wearing tinfoil hats

[@victoriaf.74]

I used the wrapping method with fairly good luck. Just checked the Cole & Mason herb keeper - price is up to a little over $24. Prices in general have gone up after COVID - groceries, restaurants, etc., you name it. Great show! Love being a subscriber.

[@Beehashe]

I wish my aunt knew about this….my uncle Herb passed away too early. But he was always fresh with the housekeeper😀

[@shirleyens7707]

😄

[@marilynsnider8183]

I've never had any luck in growing herbs, or keeping them fresh. It's good information to remember.

[@dizzyboy92]

Use a mason jar and a loose Ziploc with slits.

[@ZZ_The_Boxing_Cat]

I find the best way to preserve herbs is to grow them yourself. Plus the kitchen smells heavenly.

[@MzShonuff123]

I'd love to do this! It was so hard to find fresh herbs when we first went into lockdown.

[@mefisto7583]

wow this guy's got such attractive personality. i think i could listen his voice and watch him all day...

[@bintasuiaibu8657]

Drewi1 on KZbin have herbal cure for any type of disease..

[@Skwertydogs]

The prices they are quoting are probably the prices they paid at the time they began testing. The testing takes place over many weeks or possibly months and then it might be a few more months before the information makes it into a show. In many cases the prices might be more than a year old.

[@colleenbeamer6403]

I love your equipment reviews. This one was especially helpful. I can't tell you the amount of herbs I've wasted because I don't go through them fast enough. I was pleasantly surprised that your winning herb keeper was not exorbitantly priced even on the Canadian Amazon site. Think I will be investing in this.

[@sal_alaa]

I wash my herbs/leafy greens/lettuce and store them in my salad spinner in the fridge. They stay fresh and crispy and almost never go bad

[@TitoTimTravels]

Chop them up, roll them in butter, or olive oil, and freeze them (small bag, or ice cube tray). They will not work if you need pretty leaves, but the flavor is great. 😎

[@roberternst1978]

Cool stuff. And Bridget is lovely as ever.

[@fixerofthings]

Put the herbs in a mason jar or drinking glass just like flowers in a vase. Cover loosely with a shower cap. We keep celery for weeks and weeks using this method. Only the stems of the herbs should be in the water, none of the leaves.

[@amyaitapata6155]

Hi ATK! Longtime viewer, first time commenter. I've noticed that you never add Tupperware products to your reviews. I'm wondering if there's a reason? I'm not a salesperson - I'm just a happy customer and I LOVE their Fridgesmart line for extending the life of herbs and other fresh produce. I'm a single vegetarian, so extending the life of produce is ALWAYS a topic of interest for me. Thank you!

[@MakeKasprzak]

Great. What about green onion/scallions? I've been trying in/out of the fridge, but they always go "sad" way too quick for my liking.

[@MrHootiedean]

I wrap a damp paper towel around the white part of the bunch, covering about 2/5 of the stalk, put it back in the produce bag and spin the bag closed and they last at least a month of perfect quality in the fridge!

[@ZZ_The_Boxing_Cat]

Yeah, I agree green onions can be a problem. I cut away what I don’t use, wash and dry them , and put them in a long Tupperware like container from the Dollar store and refrigerate. They last much longer and they are ready to go- just grab what you need.

[@kimlindseyOH]

I have had success slicing them (thin) & freezing them. After slicing, I put parchment paper on a baking sheet & spread the green pieces to one side, white pieces to the other, in a single layer (not overlapping much). Then I put the baking sheet into the freezer for 10-20 minutes, just to the point where the slices are frozen solid. The frozen white pieces get stored in one little container, and the frozen green pieces in another. They keep for months - I just open the container I want & scoop out enough for my recipe while I'm cooking. Hope this works for you too! :-)

[@lspiegel5704]

I put mine in a (plastic) glass half filled with water. Cut off the green half and put them in the water too or else they get dried out and wilt. They last several weeks.

[@Wendy-yg8yu]

I chop them up when I buy them. They keep for 2-3 weeks in a jar.

[@tomsparks6099]

I just trim the stem ends, put them in tall cup with some water and put on fridge door shelves. They last, but you might have to keep cutting the stems and replace the water. Cilantro is the bane of all herbs from keeping and growing as it always bolts to flower and seed. I have made batches of Cilantro pesto and freeze.

[@bs-vo1ii]

That's a cool gadget. If you want to help everything in your fridge- get an ionizer, I got a small one for maybe 25$ years ago and just replace batteries when needed, stuff stays fresh for a long time

[@j.c.linden]

Video says it was posted 1 hour ago. They say the price of the linked herb keeper is about $17. Their link takes you to one priced at $29.99. This has happened repeatedly on this channel!

[@Skwertydogs]

The prices they are quoting are probably the prices they paid at the time they began testing. The testing takes place over many weeks or possibly months and then it might be a few more months before the information makes it into a show. In many cases the prices might be more than a year old.

[@londonguyinstockholm]

I was fascinated to hear how long the herbs stayed fresh, one question were the herbs organic or regular? It seems to me that all organic herbs (fruit and vegetables too) do not last as long as their regular counterparts. I am interested to hear your thoughts! (I live in Sweden where most store herbs are farmed here or in other European countries - if that makes any difference!) Thank you for another interesting product test and review!

[@larrym7442]

Geez something I didn’t know I needed

[@hadiy101]

Does the ATK method work with basil on the counter?

[@bintasuiaibu8657]

Drewi1 on KZbin have herbal cure for any type of disease..

[@markaloia5073]

When you use the ATK method for basil, do you refrigerate it?

[@fauxtaux]

No. Do not refrigerate basil, the leaves turn black when exposed to moisture and cold. I keep mine in a glass with water on my counter. It lasts a long time. (I was a produce worker for many years and have seen a lot of herbs go wrong.)

[@MM-fr9yh]

A big Hello to one of my favorite cooking progrems.

[@karenreneelyles261]

I have been looking for one of these. Could you do one on what to do with fresh herbs when you arrive from grocery store? Do you wash and spin dry before storing? Do you cut the stem ends before putting in water? Is there a guy on how to store fresh herbs that you purchased?

[@bintasuiaibu8657]

Drewi1 on KZbin have herbal cure for any type of disease..

[@humester]

Instead of a ziplock bag, just use a plastic container with holes in the lid; crush problem eliminated and way cheaper than any of those items.

[@Ghost_Recon_Actual]

Not sure how old this video is but the herb keeper is not about $32.00 with tax and free shipping from Amazon and/or eBay.

[@busterbrown446]

Great info.

[@lalac1577]

love your channel

[@chihuahuaphil]

According to the Camelizer, the winner hasn't been $17.50 on Amazon since 2019. It's varied from $20-40 over the last year, usually around $30.

[@deborahpinkey1264]

@@sandrah7512 That explains it!

[@jmnindfw]

We have had the recommended herb keeper for a couple of years now and we love it.

[@smoothcortex]

Too bloody late! 🤣🤣 I've got used to using the whole bunch because I never knew the towel/bag method.

[@MrWnw]

1:30 how long did it last?

[@johnnicholson3465]

Bridget looking so good 😍

[@claudiadiaz6713]

I use a mason jar with paper towel in the bottom and on top. My cilantro last weeks

[@kraftygayle9718]

I’m lucky enough to grow in a container and in the fall take them in an enclosed porch, no freezing. I have them all winter.

[@jojosmith1097]

Holy Cr@pola... the price for the winning herb keeper jumped to $29.99...a 44% increase. They were selling on the Cole & Mason website at $20 but shipping is not free unless you spend $60 or more. Plus they are out of inventory.

[@DereckKivisi]

I hang mine to dry and grind them afterward. The only ones that I store in the fridge are coriander

[@hahna77]

That's cilantro in America.

[@DereckKivisi]

@@hahna77 and dhania is what we actually call it where I'm from. We alternate between the two because we use British English

[@user-dm1tv6nl2e]

Just use a tall, large mouth mason jar. Cilantro keeps usually for at least 3 weeks with the stems in water, and the bag it came in tented over the top. This does not work for basil.

[@bintasuiaibu8657]

Drewi1 on KZbin have herbal cure for any type of disease..

[@lspiegel5704]

Please tell me where you got this for $17.50 because the prices I see online are $25-30. Thanks.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

no shock: raised after review…almost like that was intended(and likely was with some of their reviewed products)

[@barkebaat]

Allo, allo ! ere we are at ome wid our ørbs and our owdy-doody pronunciation

[@JaegerDives]

Plastic bag method works for me. Oh, and Bridget is looking very, very pretty today!

[@vinnie1889]

I enjoy watching Americans Test Kitchen! The foods are what is amazing …. for my personal interest I admire Brigitte, so attractive, charming, smart and beautiful! Thanks love, I’m a subscriber forever ❤️

[@bobbler42]

Grow in pots and harvest as you need? What really keeps things fresh is not taking them off the plant. Plus a packet of seeds costs about the same as a bag of harvested herb, and will do a whole season. Space allowing, of course. Yes, I am crut bourgeois.

[@frasersgirl4383]

Growing herbs is not hard at all and a lot of them are perennials!! Plus, they are ALWAYS fresh!!

[@jeannem4475]

I'd like to know where Adam found the recommended herb keeper for $17. Cheapest I could find it was around $19. Most were $29-$39.

[@pangGo]

Bridget is super stunning!

[@cypherknot]

Grow your own and harvest as needed. Dry at the end of the season and store.

[@Hoss1492]

ATK Curse strikes again. $17.50 in the vid, now $29.95 on Amazon!

[@kats8776]

Jesus did the price jump that high or were they just wrong in the video? Hmmm

[@Hoss1492]

@@kats8776 that is why I call it the ATK Curse. Watch any, and I mean any, of their recommended product videos. Then go to Amazon and the price is 10% to 30% higher then quoted in the video.

[@SaudadeSunday]

You have to understand that these videos were originally filmed some time ago. The price has been at least $20 on Amazon for over two years.

[@seikibrian8641]

@@SaudadeSunday Yep. This clip is taken from Cook's Country Season 13 Episode 2, which aired on September 19, 2020. The actual testing was done for the August/September 2018 issue of Cook's Country magazine, and the price they quoted was the price they paid at the time of testing.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

sponsored products at their best!

[@sisgaia]

I don't know when this was filmed, but it is nowhere near $17.50. If you click the link, it is about $30 on Amazon. Wayfair has it about $5 cheaper, but that is still a good $7.50 above the stated price. You can get closer on eBay, but beware, these tend to be for used items.

[@sauersaxon]

3:26 3:30 Yeah! missed one 3:53

[@henrikandersen7778]

Can't you just put the herbs in the freezer?

[@margaret77494]

What is atk?

[@probablynot1368]

America’s Test Kitchen

[@darknight714able]

So what happened to the basil? Ya left us hangin!

[@sandyseibelhager7131]

Amazon hiked the price up. The link now shows the herb keeper is $29.99

[@M_Ladd]

That eighteen is now up to twenty-five! Good ole Amazon!

[@marye813]

Make a new cut on ends, stick in a water glass, put plastic bag over glass, change water every 2 days. Keep in frig.

[@gangigirl1]

Just checked your link to Amazon and the price today (7/29/21) is $29.99 not "around $17.00"...I would have bought it at that price, but not almost double.

[@dizziechef9502]

I buy cilantro and they always go bad.

[@MbisonBalrog]

So keeping them damp is the secret?

[@kellydanish135]

you said it was $17 but the amazon link in your description says $30!

[@seikibrian8641]

This clip is taken from Cook's Country Season 13 Episode 2, which aired on September 19, 2020. The actual testing was done for the August/September 2018 issue of Cook's Country magazine, and the price they quoted was the price they paid at the time of testing. Prices change with time, and especially with supply and demand, and when ATK recommends a product demand usually goes up and prices follow suit.

[@kellydanish135]

@@seikibrian8641 ohh! Thank you! I didn't realize that.

[@deborahpinkey1264]

$17.50 when ATK bought it. Now, Amazon's selling price is $29.99!

[@chriscoralAloha]

Roll smaller joints. Try using a smaller bowl on your bong. Do not use torch lighters. One hitters also work well. Just to name a few.

[@GretSeat]

So... where was the best location to store them? You guys kinda forgot to tell us that.

[@avalon449]

Prices on line are from $25 to $35!

[@bostonrailfan2427]

if you’re adding water that water will stagnate and make the bottom mold and rot, so what’s the point at all of owning these if there’s no benefit to them over a cheap, easy method? you’re spending $18 for something that isn’t an improvement- just put the bag in an open container!

[@karenughoc2849]

It is $29.99 0n Amazon.

[@Magius61]

A plastic deli cup or large glass and a shower cap works just as well and is like….$1

[@RichMaza]

Horrible review because you have all the Herb Keepers sitting there but only review 2 of them. I was doing research on the OXO one and you didn’t even mention it at all. Good or bad the others should at least been mentioned

[@Cujucuyo]

Price jumped to $30, lol.

[@Christopher-Yabadabado]

I've been looking at this for a bit. It was $24.99, not $17. but I think still worth it.

[@ladorada3276]

Brightness/lighting is off on this video.

[@ThJ70]

It's Herbs the word starts with a H it's not silent so please say it properly Herbs not Erbs. Do you not know English. 😊

[@ilsunnylo3562]

Why not grind them to dry powder like those in stores?

[@spicemasterii6775]

Some herbs just don't have the effect when dry. For example cilantro. Has to be fresh for Mexican food

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@spicemasterii6775 not true at all, it’s a personal taste and texture issue. cilantro is “best fresh” because it’s used frequently as a garnish not actually cooked with, but when cooking it’s fine dried. the real issue is some dried herbs are pains in certain dishes just as some fresh get bitter and off if not cooked while dried

[@spicemasterii6775]

@@bostonrailfan2427 what's not true? Herbs don't taste differently dried compared to fresh? That's what I was trying to get at originally. You cook cilantro when making some Indian food and dried does not work at all.

[@skinnylegend-7330]

@@spicemasterii6775 i agree. a lot of soft herbs dont dry well at all. especially parsley and corainder

[@Sbannmarie]

Its 30.00 dollars now.

[@mmeiselph7234]

$17... except on your amazon link where it is $25.

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Ask Willie Nelson

[@TedInATL]

I bought the winner. It was a piece of junk that took up way too much space. It went in the trash shortly after purchase.

[@fnhs90]

Just put the first solution in a cup? Why waste money on a plastic thing

[@politicalseance]

“Erbs”

[@umamizaddy]

Thanks but I'll save 30 bucks by sticking with paper towels and zip loc bags 👍

[@RWayne-nu2fi]

I don't have a strong opinion on herbs, or their preservation, I just find Bridget Lancaster irresistible. Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[@GoddessLennox]

Downfall xD DownSIDE! And in not even American!

[@eastendthug]

Why are Americans incapable of pronouncing "herbs" without silencing the "h"?

[@annafilban2859]

IT runs about $17, EXCEPT it's $30 after you click the link in the description !!!!! ☹️ Thanks for the tip, but that's a $13 up-charge to use ATK's affiliated link.