Fresh Herb Or Dry

Do you taste a difference when cooking with fresh herbs vs buying them dry.

If you buy fresh how long do they last? Is their a trick to keep them lasting longer?

Re: Fresh Herb Or Dry

Yes. There is a difference. I use a lot of dry herbs - but I generally prefer fresh. Especially with Basil, parsley, mint, thyme and Rosemary. I actually prefer dried bay leaves and oregano though.

I keep fresh herbs in a glass of water in the fridge if I buy them. I trim the ruined stuff off of them, snip the stems a bit put them in a glass half filled with water. I will usually hang a plastic bag over the heads. When I pick or buy herbs I will usually use them within a day or two. If I can't get to them I change the water and they'll usually last a good week.

When I use dry herbs I will crush them with the mortar and pestle first to make sure they are still fragrant. I often try to 're-hydrate' them by putting them in a warm bath (vegetable, chicken or beef stock - or just warm water) - before using them.

Message edited 10/4/2009 1:14:12 PM.

Re: Fresh Herb Or Dry

Mostly dry herbs unless the recipe calls for fresh.

It's important not to keep old herbs around. They do lose their flavor. I really need to clean out my spice closet.

I like fresh herbs like basil, cliantro and parsley.

Re: Fresh Herb Or Dry

leafy herbs like basil, oregano I try to use fresh, though I have been known to incorporate both. cilantro and parsely I will only use fresh.

woody herbs like thyme I'll use dry but I too will crush them up a bit to make sure they still back a bunch. I prefer fresh rosemary to dry, but will use dry in a pinch.

I use ground spices a lot..chili powders, ground cumin etc.

I pretty much only use dried ground garlic on my pizza.

Re: Fresh Herb Or Dry

I wrap my herbs in a moist paper towel. They like the humidity. Then put them in the plastic container they come in or a plastic bag. They should last a full week or longer.

Re: Fresh Herb Or Dry

I'm lucky that my mom has a garden, so I have an endless amount of Rosemary, parsley, basil, cilantro etc at my disposal during the summer months.

The winter months is a different story - I buy dried since I normally don't need as much of the fresh herb that comes in the package. I end up throwing it out because I don't use it in time. So the dry is more cost effective.

My mom moves her Rosemary plant into the garage for the winter & wraps around the base & the branches, so we still have access to Rosemary during the winter.I keep sprigs of it in a little glass with water near the window sill. This gets me a good week.

I rinse the basil & parsely & wrap it in a lightly moist paper towel & leave in the refrigerator