How to Harvest Cilantro and Store It Properly

How to Harvest Cilantro and Store It Properly: There are many ways to use cilantro, which adds a fresh taste to many foods. It’s easy to grow cilantro at home, but to get the best taste and get more use out of it, you need to know how to pick it and store it properly.

How to Harvest Cilantro and Store It Properly

Harvesting Cilantro

When the plant is 4 to 6 inches tall, which usually happens 4 to 6 weeks after planting, cilantro is ready to be picked. The leaves are most tasty and moist in the morning, when they are picked.

Cut off the bottom of the outer leaves with clean tools. Leave the inner leaves whole so the plant can keep growing. If you trim your cilantro plants often, they won’t bolt, which is when the plant starts to flower and the leaves start to taste bitter.

Also See: How to Propagate Agave From Leaf Cuttings

Storing Cilantro

To keep cilantro fresh after you pick it, wash the leaves gently to get rid of any dirt. Before putting the leaves away, make sure they are completely dry so they don’t wilt. As you would with fresh flowers, put the stems of the cilantro in a glass of water.

Then, slightly cover the leaves with a plastic bag. If you put this in the fridge, the cilantro should stay fresh for up to two weeks. You can freeze chopped cilantro in airtight cases or ice cube trays with water to keep it for a long time. This way, you can always have it on hand.