It is vital to properly store your herbs for maintaining their taste, texture, and smell. Here are some tips for preserving and storing your herb collection, which includes flowers, leaves seeds, barks, seeds, and roots.
STORAGE
Keep your herbs in airtight, clean containers kept away from light and heat, and take care when handling them. Amber glass jars that have lids that seal with air are perfect. They can also be kept in a drawer or cabinet or cover the jars with labels that are large and opaque or put a curtain over them to protect them when they are they are not being used.
Life of the SHELF
The shelf-life of herbs will differ in accordance with the form and part of the plant. (Those which are cut or powdered will have a larger surface area exposed to air, which causes them to will lose flavor faster than fresh herbs, for instance.) Here are some tips:
WHOLE SPICES AND HERBS |
|
|---|---|
| Flowers and leaves | 1 to 2 years old |
| Barks and seeds | 2 to 3 years old |
| Roots | 3 years old |
GROUND SPICES & HERBS: |
|
|---|---|
| Leaves | 1 year |
| Barks and seeds | 1 year |
| Roots | 2 years |