Re: [CH] cilantro
Doug Irvine (dirvin@bc.sympatico.ca)
Sun, 22 Nov 1998 20:14:56 -0800
Hi All: I have sort of the same method for keeping the cilantro fresher
longer, with a difference. As I have a daughter who once had a very successful
florist shop, she showed me a little method used by florists, to retain
freshness in flowers,or greenery.
Cut the stems under water,so that air does not clog up the cut end, and the
water in which the plant is placed, has a chance to get into the capillary
system of the plant, which it does not have if cut in the air....this allows
me to keep cilantro for up to 10 days to two weeks, seeing as the growers
supply us with such large amounts of the plant, trying to recoup the losses of
unsold product. Cheers, Doug in BC
Suz wrote:
> There was a certain "something" in the best tasting salsas and for years I
> couldn't figure out what it was.
> Cilantro. Bought a bunch, chopped it up, tossed in my homemade salsa and
> that had been the missing ingredient. All those years without .... *sigh*
>
> I have had ZERO luck growing the stuff, but I try year after year. Either
> it gets too much sun, not enough sun, or same with water. It starts out
> healthy, green, I'm even able to pick a few leaves (very few) and then it
> plunges into cilantro hell.
>
> Because of my short-lived cilantro season, I've found how to keep the
> supermarket cilantro "trees" fresh for 2-3 weeks. (Why do we have to buy
> such a large bunch anyway? anyone??) rinse, wrap in paper towels and put
> in a Tupperware veggie container. Works for me.
>
> >> "Cilantro is difficult to grow, because it goes to seed very quickly.
> Then
> >> after it's picked, it wilts really fast and has a very unpleasant taste
> and
> >> soapy texture," says Schultz. Cilantro will only hold for three or four
> days
> >> wrapped in a damp towel. The refrigerator is too dry for the plant; and
> if it
> >> is soaked in water, slime forms on the leaves.
> >
> >To keep cilantro fresh: pour water in a small jar or drinking glass
> >'till it's about 1/2 full, cut about 1/2 inch off the stem end of the
> >bunch, immerse the end of the stems in the water as if it were a bunch
> >of flowers in a vase, put it back in the 'frigerator...works for me.