Does Rosemary Go Bad?

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no cost to you.

Rosemary is a herbal plant that produces fascinating fragrances. It is native to the Mediterranean. It is used for its potential health benefits, to make bodily perfumes, and as a culinary condiment. It is a species of the mint family, which is known as Lamiaceae. The other common member of this family is basil, lavender, thyme, and oregano.

It is full of vitamin b6, calcium, and iron. It is an herb that is used to make rosemary lamb and chicken, which taste very good. Furthermore, it is full of antioxidants compounds and helps in the improvement of digestion.

Table of Contents

How to Store Rosemary

Rosemary is a herbal plant with small aromatic leaves on its stem. Like another herbal, it can rot very fast and easily in many circumstances, but there are still a few methods to protect it from spoiling earlier and increasing its life.

Rosemary is a member of the mint family with a pungent smell. This plant is available throughout the year, provided if you are living in a warm area. Rosemary can not withstand a hard cold temperature, so it is not suitable to cultivate it in colder regions.

If you have bought this herb and want it to last long, then this article is for you, as we will discuss a few storage methods that will help you retain its life and freshness.

Keep in Refrigerator

This is the best method to opt for storing hard herbs, like rosemary, fresh. But keep in mind direct dry cold air can spoil your rosemary, so you have to protect it from dry cold air. To do that, wrap it in a damp paper towel or water-soaked foaming bag and then place it in an airtight container or zipped bag.

Doing so will keep your rosemary fresh for a long time. Ensure that the wrapped rosemary is sealed in a container and not in the exposure of dry cold air of refrigerator.

Keep in Freezer

Keeping in a freezer is one of the other methods which can dramatically increase its life span so that you can use it in the later future. There is a detailed method of freezing which is discussed below.

Dry it

Drying is another storage technique that is good for its long life. You can dry it using the microwave, or simply air drying could be enough too. It is a woodier and thicker herb that can take a few days to dry out.

Can You Freeze Rosemary

Although cold temperatures can spoil rosemary under certain circumstances, you can freeze it by following two methods. One is to freeze its sprigs. For that, wash and dry the sprigs, place them on a butte paper or cookie sheet, and put them in the freezer for 30 minutes. Once they are frozen, take them out and put them into a freezer bag, and place them in the freezer to make them last longer.

The other method is to store them in an ice-cubes form. Put the rosemary in an ice cube tray and fill them with water. Put the tray in the freezer; after it gets frozen, remove the tray, take out the cubes, and put it in a sealed bag.

How Long Does Rosemary Last

Now that you have purchased rosemary from the store and consuming it. But you do not know that how long does rosemary lasts. The answer to this simple question largely depends on the storage conditions. It is suggested to keep rosemary in the refrigerator at all times.

If you have stored the rosemary in the refrigerator, it can last for up to 10 to 14 days. If the storage method is followed properly, it can retain its freshness and crispiness for up to 2 weeks.

As discussed above, you can also store it in the freezer to make it last longer, but how long? Well, the frozen rosemary can last for up to 4 to 6 months. Keep in mind that it should be stored in airtight bags and follow the exact method discussed earlier in this article. Make sure the temperature is constant. If the temperature is at 0 degrees constantly, then it is found that your rosemary can last indefinitely.

How To Tell If Rosemary Is Bad

There is another thing that you might be worried about is that if your rosemary gets bad, then how would you come to know that? The answer to that query is you can use your senses of smell and taste to distinguish between the spoiled and healthy sprigs of rosemary.

Let’s have a look at few indications that can tell you if your rosemary is still usable or not.

Smell: Use your nose and smell the rosemary; you can easily find if your rosemary has gone bad or still good to go.
Texture: The spoiled rosemary changes its texture and gets soft and wilt.
Color: Another indication of spoiled rosemary is its color change.

What does Rosemary Look Like?

Rosemary is easy to recognize due to its unique structure. The perennial shrub of rosemary grows around 1 meter in height. However, few specific types of plants also grow 2 meters. The plant contains linear leaves. Each leaf has a size of 1 cm in length. The structure of its leaves also resembles the structure of pine needles.

They have a dark green color with a shiny texture. The leaves are located on leaf margins that are underside and have white color. The rosemary plant is also equipped with flowers. The flowers have bluish color and are borne in different axillary clusters.

Where does Rosemary Come From?

Botanically, rosemary comes from the plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family of plants, commonly known as the mint family. The plant has pine-like leaves, while it also contains flowers that come in different colors. The common colors are white, blue, pink, and purple.

The plant resembles a pine tree to a great extent in both aroma and appearance. The rosemary herb or spice is the leaves of this plant. While regionally, the traces of rosemary’s existence can be found in around 5000 BCE. Egyptians used this herb in their burial rituals. Ancient Greeks also used it.

How is Rosemary Made?

For making rosemary, you should follow the same steps as other herbs like basil, mint, and parsley, etc. Begin with planting the rosemary seed in a good location. Water it and take care of it properly. Once the plant reaches the growth stage, you can begin cutting the leaves. Wash the collected leaves, and the fresh rosemary leaves are ready for use. You can also dry the leaves by putting them under direct sunlight.

What Does Rosemary Taste Like?

Most people are still confused about the taste of rosemary. It has a unique combination of piney, peppery, woodsy, resinous, lemony, and astringent. Sometimes the herb also gives a little citrus flavor, mint, evergreen, sage, and lavender.

How is Rosemary Used in Cooking?

Before using the rosemary in your dish, rinse the leaves under running water. However, make sure you don’t use warm water. And then pat dry them. Afterward, you can separate the leaves from the stem. The best method to do so is by pinching the stem’s tip and then pulling it back to the base.

You can also chop the leaves into little pieces and then add them to your recipe. While using dry leaves, you can add them to the recipe or just sprinkle them at the end. It will add a nice taste and a good aroma to your recipe.

What Types of Cuisines Use Rosemary?

Rosemary is used in a wide range of cuisines around the world. It complements well with meat, especially pork, chicken, and lamb. You can just chop few rosemary leaves and then add them to biscuit dough and bread, etc. Besides, this herb is also used in beans, potatoes, lentils, and few other vegetables.

What is a Rosemary Substitute?

Different ingredients can substitute rosemary. The list includes marjoram, tarragon, sage, and savory. Moreover, you can also substitute fresh leaves with dry leaves and vice versa.

Where to Buy Rosemary?

If you want to get dry rosemary leaves but don’t know where to get them from, we have made your work easier. We have chosen a few best, and high-quality dry rosemary leaves for you. You can get them in the grocery stores. Moreover, you can also order these products online and get them all on your doorsteps. These top products are listed below.

Sources

Recommended Reading: