Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Damp kitchen paper
• Method 2 of 3: Dry kitchen paper
• Method 3 of 3: A glass / jar of water
• Necessities
• Moist kitchen paper
• Dry kitchen paper
• A glass / jar of water

If you are buying or harvesting a large bunch of cilantro it can be difficult to use up before the freshness is lost. However, you can keep the cilantro longer if you keep it under ideal conditions.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Damp kitchen paper

1. Trim the ends. Use kitchen scissors to cut off the dry ends of the cilantro stems. Also remove the damaged and / or dead leaves.
   • To keep the ends fresher and less damaging to the plant, you can cut the stems under cold water.
2. Let the cilantro soak. Place the cilantro in a small bowl, covering the stems in cold water. Let the cilantro soak for five to ten minutes.
   • Soaking the cilantro will remove all dirt and dust from the leaves. Since the leaves and stems will get damp, there is no need to clean the cilantro beforehand. If you choose a method that keeps the leaves dry, wait to use the cilantro before cleaning it.
3. Remove the excess water. Remove the cilantro from the water and place the bunches in a salad spinner. Use this device to centrifuge the wet herb until the leaves feel moderately dry.
   • You can also pat the cilantro dry between layers of dry kitchen paper or with a clean kitchen towel. Try to make sure the leaves are almost completely dry; in any case, make sure that no more drops come off.
   • You don't have to let the cilantro air dry extensively. Because you will later wrap the cilantro in damp kitchen paper, some moisture will be added anyway.
4. Wrap the cilantro in damp kitchen paper. Place the cilantro on a clean sheet of slightly damp kitchen paper. Carefully wrap the bunch in the kitchen paper so that all sides are covered.
   • The kitchen paper only needs to be slightly damp; do not soak the paper.
5. Place the cilantro in an airtight container. Put the cilantro in a plastic bag or container that you can seal airtight. Close the package and attach a label with the date and content.
   • If you put the cilantro in a plastic bag, make sure there is no more than an inch of space between the cilantro and the top of the bag. Gently squeeze all the air out of the bag before closing it.
   • If you put the cilantro in an airtight container, make sure the lid is tight and no air can get in or out.
6. Keep the cilantro in the refrigerator. You can keep the cilantro in the refrigerator for about a week.
   • Coriander is a sensitive herb. Therefore, this method may not work as well as the other methods. While a damp paper towel and plastic bag will work well for most of the more robust herbs, such as mint or parsley, the cilantro will wilt more quickly. Most home cooks know from experience that freshness can be preserved longer if the leaves remain dry.
   • Note, however, that this method is very effective if you don't need to keep the cilantro for more than five days. The combination of moisture and coolness ensures that the cilantro can retain its optimum freshness and crispness for several days. If you want to keep the cilantro longer, it is better to choose a different method.

Method 2 of 3: Dry kitchen paper

1. Trim the ends. Use kitchen scissors to cut off the dry ends of the cilantro stems. Also remove the damaged and / or old leaves.
   • With this method you can also choose to cut away the hard stems completely. After all, the stems are no longer necessary, because they will no longer absorb moisture. Removing the stems makes it easier to put the cilantro in an airtight container.
2. Dry the cilantro. Dry the cilantro completely with clean kitchen paper or the salad spinner - even if the cilantro is only slightly damp.
   • Coriander will spoil a lot faster if the leaves are still wet. It is therefore important to remove as much water as possible. To be on the safe side, you can spin the cilantro dry in the salad spinner, then place it again on a paper towel. Place the paper towel in full sun for a few more hours to make sure the cilantro is completely dry.
3. Stack the cilantro in layers, placing a sheet of dry kitchen paper between each layer. Place a sheet of dry kitchen paper in the bottom of an airtight container. Put a single layer of coriander on top and cover it again with a paper towel. Repeat this pattern, layer by layer.
   • If possible, try to place the cilantro in a single layer in the container. Too much cilantro in the container can cause damage.
   • Make sure the bottom and top layers are both paper towels, no matter how many layers you have.
   • When you're done, put the lid on the container. Make sure the container is airtight.
   • Do not use plastic bags for this method; always choose an airtight plastic container.
4. Keep the cilantro in the refrigerator. Cover the container and put it in the refrigerator. The cilantro should stay fresh for about two to three weeks.
   • Check now and then how the cilantro is doing. Look through the side of the container if it is clear plastic. Otherwise, quickly remove the lid from the container to see what the cilantro looks like. Remove any withered or discolored coriander leaves from the container. If you see moisture, you should dry the container and run the cilantro through the salad spinner again.

Method 3 of 3: A glass / jar of water

1. Trim the ends. Use sharp kitchen scissors to cut off the dry and / or damaged ends of the cilantro stems. Also remove the damaged and / or withered leaves.
   • Consider trimming the stems under cold water to reduce the scare of the herb. Since the ends will be submerged anyway, it doesn't matter if they get wet. It is preferable to keep the ends of the herb as fresh as possible, as this will allow them to absorb more water.
2. Dry the leaves if necessary. If the leaves are visibly wet, dry them with a clean paper towel or run them through the salad spinner.
3. Although the stems will get wet with this method, it is important to keep the leaves dry. The cilantro will wither more quickly if the leaves remain wet.
   • Note: it is better for this method to only clean the cilantro when you are going to use it. By waiting, the leaves will come into contact with water less.
4. Fill a glass with water and the cilantro. Fill a sturdy glass jar 1/4 full with cold water. Then put the cilantro in the pot, making sure all cut ends are covered with water.
   • The cut ends should be submerged, but the leaves should remain above the surface of the water. If a few leaves are submerged, you need to reduce the amount of water or cut off the bottom leaves.
5. Cover the glass with a plastic bag. Place a resealable plastic bag over the top of the cilantro. Leave the opening of the pouch loose.
   • Do not close the bag with an elastic band or anything else.
   • Make sure the bag is well below the rim of the glass. The leaves of the cilantro should be completely covered by the bag.
6. Replace the water regularly. You will need to change the water every few days. When exactly you will have to do that is obvious: if the water starts to discolor, you should replace it with fresh water.
   • Check the cilantro when you change the water. Cut off any dry tips or wilted leaves before returning the cilantro to the container.
7. Keep the cilantro in the refrigerator. If you choose this method, the cilantro can keep for up to two weeks (and sometimes even longer).
   • The cold temperature is just as important as the water, if not more so. If you keep the cilantro at room temperature, it will last for up to a week. In this way, the cilantro can keep for up to four weeks in the refrigerator.
8. Ready.

Necessities

Moist kitchen paper

• Kitchen scissors
• A large bowl
• A salad spinner
• Paper towel
• An airtight plastic bag or container

Dry kitchen paper

• Kitchen scissors
• A salad spinner
• Paper towel
• A clean tea towel (optional)
• An airtight plastic container

A glass / jar of water

• Kitchen scissors
• A salad spinner
• Paper towel
• A sturdy glass or jar
• A plastic bag