Tips For Storing Basil

If you’re like me, you love using basil in your cooking. But did you know that there’s a right way and a wrong way to pick it from your plant? Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to keep your basil fresh and flavorful for as long as possible!

How to Pick Basil From Plant

To get the most out of your basil plant, you need to know how to pick basil properly. This means taking off the leaves in a way that won’t damage the plant and will encourage it to keep growing.

Here are a few tips on how to pick basil:

-Start by gently pinching or snipping off the topmost leaves of the plant. These are typically the newest and most flavorful leaves.

-As you work your way down the plant, continue snipping or pinching leaves off at their base. Try to avoid taking too many from any one area so that the plant can continue to grow evenly.

-If you want to use Basil for culinary purposes, it is best to picked just before using it as this will help preserve its flavor.

-Once you have picked all the leaves you need, give the plant a light watering and place it back in a sunny spot.

Tips For Storing Your Basil

Basil is a great herb to have on hand, and it can last a long time if you store it properly. Here are some tips for storing your basil:

-Pick the basil leaves off the stem and wash them thoroughly.

-Dry the leaves completely, either with a salad spinner or by patting them down with a clean towel.

-Place the dried leaves in a container with a tight-fitting lid. You can use a plastic baggie, mason jar, or Tupperware container.

-Add a few silica packets to the container to help absorb moisture.

-Store the container in the fridge and use the leaves as needed.

With proper storage, your basil leaves should stay fresh for up to two weeks.

How to Keep Your Basil Fresh

Once you’ve chosen the perfect spot in your garden for your basil plants, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking proper care of them so you can enjoy fresh basil all season long. Here are a few tips on how to pick basil and store it so it stays fresh.

When to pick: Look for healthy leaves that are a deep green color. Avoid any yellow or wilted leaves.

How to pick: Gently twist the leaf from the stem. You can also cut the stem with a sharp knife if that’s easier.

Storage: Fresh basil leaves can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them or dry them for future use.

How to Use Your Basil

If you plan on using your basil right away, pluck the leaves from the stem. If you want to store your basil, cut off the stems about an inch or two from the bottom of the plant. Store the stems in a glass of water in a cool spot out of direct sunlight. Change out the water every few days, and use the basil within a week.

Recipes With Basil

If you’re like me, you can’t resist buying a big bunch of fresh basil when you see it at the farmer’s market or grocery store. But then what? I always feel like I have to use it up ASAP because it’ll go bad otherwise, but that often results in me not using it at all. If you find yourself in the same plight, check out these recipes that make the most of this fragrant herb.

-Basil Pesto: This classic sauce is great on pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip.

-Tomato Basil Soup: This soup is simple and delicious, and perfect for summer.

-Caprese Salad: This iconic Italian salad is perfect for a light lunch or side dish.

-Basil Lemonade: This refreshing drink is perfect for a hot summer day.

How to Grow Your Own Basil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an annual herb in the mint family that is beloved for its sweet, spicy flavor and its versatility in the kitchen. While you can often find fresh basil at your local grocery store, there is nothing quite like harvesting your own herbs from your own backyard garden. Here are a few tips on how to grow your own basil.

Basil likes full sun and moist, well-drained soil. If you are growing basil indoors, make sure to place it in a sunny spot near a window. Water Basil regularly, letting the soil dry out between waterings.

Harvesting basil is easy – simply cut off the stems you need, being sure to leave at least 2-3 sets of leaves on each stem so the plant can continue to grow. You can also harvest basil by pinching off the tops of the stems, which will encourage the plant to branch out and become bushier.

How to Care For Your Basil

Basil is a very popular herb, known for its sweet, yet slightly peppery flavor. It is used in many different cuisines, but is most commonly associated with Italian food. If you grow your own basil, you’ll want to know how to pick basil so you can enjoy its flavor all year long.

Here are some tips for picking basil:

-Pick basil early in the morning, before the heat of the day begins to affect the flavor of the leaves.

-Use a sharp knife or gardening shears to cut the stems of the basil plant. You don’t want to bruise the leaves or stem, as this can affect the flavor of the herb.

-Pick only the top leaves of the plant. These are typically the most flavorful.

-If you want to use basil later in the day or evening, place the picked leaves in a glass of water and store them in a cool place until you’re ready to use them.