Does Parsley Go Bad?

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Parsley’s flowering plant is native to the Mediterranean with two of its common types: Italian-flat leaf and French curly-leaf. Parsley blends well with many recipes due to its mild, bitter flavor, and its bright green color gives a nice touch to several dishes.

It is mainly used as a dried spice or culinary herb and is known to provide numerous health benefits. Parsley is rich in vitamins, especially vitamin K and very low in calories. It also supports bone health and contains cancer-fighting substances. You can enjoy Parsley in your everyday diet by adding them to salads, sauces, or soups.

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How To Store Parsley

Is it safe to store herbs? This kind of question may arise to some people, and the answer is: Yes, given the proper conditions and certain requirements that need to be fulfilled, it is completely safe to store herbs. Parsley tends to sag and goes limp after a few hours if left in the open, but you might be able to preserve it if you follow the instructions as stated below.

Avoid keeping Parsley at room temperature for longer than a few hours; fresh herbs do not last long when exposed to a humid environment.

Selection Of Parsley

Flat-leaf Parsley is recommended over curly-leaf Parsley because it has more flavor and better texture than curly-leaf. Moreover, it is easier to clean or chop and is easier to separate leaves. Hence, for a better experience, you should choose flat-leaf.

Keep The Stems Dipped In Water

Trim off a little of the stems from the bottom, make sure your parsley leaves are dried. It is recommended to wash the leaves only before using them, not before storing them. In a glass or jar containing water, place the Parsley so that only two inches of its stems are submerged.

Place a plastic bag or a Ziploc upside down over the jar to cover parsley leaves. This will maintain the humidity and necessary airflow. Store it in the refrigerator. You must change the water in the jar when it turns brown to keep it fresh.

Keep In Paper Towels

Remove extra moisture from the leaves, wrap it in a few paper towels, place the wrapped Parsley inside a plastic bag, and seal it. Store it in the refrigerator, and it will remain fresh for 3 to 5 days.

Freeze It

To make your Parsley last longer than two weeks, it is best to freeze it.

Can You Freeze Parsley

Parsley can be frozen, but it is to be kept in mind that its distinctive texture will not remain the same after it is thawed. Therefore, it is best to consume it while fresh. Before freezing, make sure the parsley leaves and stem are clean and completely dried; this avoids any ice crystals on them.

Seal the Parsley with the stem in a plastic bag and freeze it; the less the air inside the bag, the better. Another way is to make a thick puree of parsley and olive oil and freeze it in an ice cube tray; once frozen, transfer to plastic bags for longer storage.

How Long Does Parsley Last

Although herbs provide their best health benefits when consumed fresh, they can also be stored for later use. The question then arises about how long herbs last even if we store them. Raw Parsley has a short shelf-life; it can wither within a few hours if left at room temperature. It is still edible, though, but will not look as fresh.

Fresh and raw Parsley can be saved for seven to ten days inside the refrigerator if properly stored in a plastic bag. If you grind and store it in dried form, it has a long lifespan. Make sure to keep it protected from moisture and stored in a cool and dark place in an airtight container. It can last for about two years. Frozen Parsley has the same shelf life as dried one; its flavor remains the same for about a year or two.

How To Tell If Parsley Is Bad

As beneficial as Parsley can be, it can also be harmful if eaten when it goes bad. Spoiled Parsley can cause anemia as well as liver and kidney problems. Therefore, it is better to tell if the Parsley on your counter is fit for use or is ready to be thrown out. You can easily tell the difference if Parsley shows the following signs.

Color: If parsley leaves have turned yellow, this is because of excess light. Also, if there is too much oxygen, the leaves will turn brown. Both cases are bad for Parsley; it’s time for them to go.
Appearance: If the leaves appear slimy and soft, it is due to excess moisture, and the Parsley is no longer fresh.
Odor: An off smell is also an indication that your Parsley needs to be discarded.

What does Parsley Look Like?

Parsley has a bright green color. Its leaves have a shape that resembles a feather. This spice belongs to the same family as dill. The parsley plant has a length of around 10 cm to 25 cm. it is filled with numerous leaflets. While the plant stands on a single taproot.

Moreover, the plant also produced flowers that come from stems. The color of flowers normally falls between yellowish-green to completely yellow colors. The stems also have umbels and sparser leaves. While the flowers on the plant make it more attractive.

Where does Parsley Come From?

Parsley is the native herb of western Asia and southern Europe. It belongs to the Mediterranean region, which is also discussed above. The Greeks used this herb. Ancient Greeks believed that parsley came from the Archemorus’ bloodshed after his death by the serpents.

They considered this plant sacred, and they did not use it for culinary purposes. They mainly used parsley for religious purposes. This herb has a cultivation history that is older than 2000 years. Before being used for culinary purposes, parsley was used as medicine for various illnesses and aches.

How is Parsley Made?

For making parsley, you have to follow the same rules as the other plants. Firstly, begin the process by planting the seed. However, make sure to use a good location for it. You can grow it both inside and outside your home. Once the plant reaches its mature stage, you can begin plucking the leaves.

The leaves are attached to small stems. While harvesting, pluck the whole tiny stems. Then you can pick the leaves, and the fresh parsley is ready for use. But you can also dry it and use the dry and crushed form in your cuisines.

What Does Parsley Taste Like?

Both the dry and fresh parsley leaves have the same taste. It has a very bright, a little bitter, and herbaceous taste. It works as the lemon zest in dishes as it also emphasizes other flavors in the recipe. The vegetal flavor of this herb makes it perfect for different types of cuisines.

How is Parsley Used in Cooking?

While cooking, parsley can be used in different methods. Most people just use it as a garnishing ingredient in their dishes. While you can also add it with other ingredients like garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar for better taste. You can use dried parsley with other ingredients while cooking the food.

What Types of Cuisines Use Parsley?

Parsley can be used with almost all types of cuisines. It is widely used in South American and French cuisines. It can be used with stews, soups, sauces, braises, condiment chimichurri, pizza, pasta, spaghetti, and other dishes. In addition, fresh parsley leaves are used in salads for better taste and aroma.

What is a Parsley Substitute?

Parsley has numerous substitutes. The list includes chives, tarragon, basil, oregano, arugula, cilantro, endive, carrot greens, and celery leaves. You can use any of these ingredients to substitute parsley. So, use them instead next time if you don’t find parsley. These substitutes will give you the same taste as parsley.

Where to Buy Parsley?

Parsley is a common herb. The fresh form of this herb is available in almost every vegetable store. So, you won’t face any trouble while finding it. However, if you are looking for a dry form of this herb, then you should take some time to find higher quality. But we have done the work for you. We have listed few best products below.

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