Parsley is a kitchen staple, famous for adding a burst of flavor to dishes. It’s incredibly useful to have fresh parsley available at all times. But how can you keep parsley vibrant and fresh for months? Here’s a chef’s trick to accomplish just that.

The role of parsley in the kitchen

Parsley is a highly prized herb in the culinary arts and is used to season a wide range of dishes including salads, soups, meats, fish and vegetables. Packed with vitamin C, vitamin K and iron, it is also an excellent source of antioxidants.

This herb comes in two main varieties: curly and flat-leaf. Curly parsley has curly leaves and a more robust flavor, while flat-leaf parsley features softer leaves with a milder flavor.

When cooking, parsley can be finely chopped and added to a variety of dishes to enhance the flavor. It also serves as a garnish for meals such as salads, soups, and baked potatoes.

Fresh parsley is available both fresh and dried, and many chefs prefer fresh parsley for its more potent flavor. When buying fresh, it is essential to select vibrant green leaves and discard any that are yellowed or wilted.

Keeping parsley alive: the conservation trick

1. To start, you need some parsley, preferably fresh. Wash it and place it on a cutting board. Chop the parsley coarsely with a knife.
2. Next, place the freshly chopped parsley in a fairly deep bowl. Now, add a tablespoon of baking soda. Pour cold water over the parsley until it is completely submerged and the baking soda dissolves. Use a spoon to make sure the leaves are completely soaked.
3. At this point it is essential to soak the parsley for about fifteen minutes. In the meantime, clean the cutting board with a little vinegar alcohol. This ensures that all bacteria is removed and the board is ready for future use. After 15 minutes, rinse the herb under running water and change the water about three times.

4. Place a clean sponge towel on the clean cutting board and place the drained herb on top. Dry the parsley thoroughly with a towel. Now you will need a clean, dry glass jar. Line the bottom of the jar with paper towels. Using a spoon, press it firmly against the walls of the jar.
5. Fill the jar with parsley. The jar should be clear glass with a tight seal. At this point, you can place the jar of parsley in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh and intact for about a month. Once you master this trick, it will likely become a staple in your kitchen routine.