How to Store Fresh Basil
<http://i.ehow.com/images/a04/8o/v8/store-fresh-basil-800X800.jpg> *Store Fresh Basil* The key to keeping basil <http://www.ehow.com/basil/> fresh and fragrant for days (and even weeks) after purchase or harvest, is to not store it in the refrigerator. Basil leaves quickly turn black and slimy and lose their signature spicy sweet flavor when refrigerated. A better way to store them is in a jar of water on your kitchen counter top. Here's what you need to do. *Instructions* *Things You'll Need:* - Short, stout jar or vase 1. Fill a short, stout vase or jar with 3 or 4 inches of tepid tap water. 2. When harvesting basil from your garden, try to harvest longer stems (rather than pinching off a few leaves). Bring the basil indoors and immediately stick the stems into the jar of water, making sure to add more water to the jar if the end of each stem is not submerged. 3. If you purchase fresh basil from the grocery store, remove it from its packaging. Then, trim the ends of the basil's stems and place them into the jar of water (this increases the basil's ability to take up water). 4. Place the jar in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Don't worry if the basil droops at first; it should perk right up after about 12 hours. Change the water in the jar daily. When stored this way, basil will stay fresh for weeks. In fact, if you leave the stems in water they will eventually root and you can replant them in a pot or out in the garden!
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