5 Simple Ways to Keep Coriander Leaves Fresh for a Week Even Without a Fridge

Coriander leaves have high moisture which makes them spoil quickly, if not stored properly. Heat and air make them spoil faster, turning leaves yellow or black within days.

Coriander is an important herb in kitchens across India, used in everything from green chutneys to garnishing vegetables and decorating parathas. They can enhance taste and flavour of any dish with their aroma and freshness.

However, the biggest challenge is to keep them fresh. Within two days, the leaves often start wilting. Without a freezer or adequate space, coriander spoils even faster. Many people buy fresh coriander expecting it to last a week, only to find it turning black within 2-3 days, affecting taste and freshness.

This makes you buy in small quantities but more frequently, forcing you to make repeated trips to the market, requiring extra effort and expense. However, there are simple, cost-free methods to keep coriander green and fresh for a week without refrigeration. These traditional tricks are easy to follow and highly effective.

Do not store corriander leaves in polythene bags. Coriander spoils quickly due to its high moisture content. Heat and air accelerate this process, causing leaves to yellow or blacken within days. Polythene bags trap moisture, making coriander leaves rot much faster.

Trick 1: Wash the coriander gently with water and let it dry completely. Wrap the leaves in a cotton or muslin cloth and place them in a basket or a container with lid. Protected from air, coriander can remain fresh for up to a week.

Trick 2: Clay pots are still widely used in villages. Lightly wet the coriander and store it in a clay pot. The earthen pots stay cooler naturally and aid air circulation that helps preserve freshness for longer periods.

Trick 3: If you place a lemon peel along with coriander in a container with lid, it will discourage bacterial growth and help maintain the colour and freshness of the leaves. 

Trick 4: Coriander often comes with roots attached. Cover the roots with lightly damp soil and a cloth. This method helps maintain leaf freshness for a week without refrigeration.

Trick 5: If you don’t want to store coriander in the fridge, than wrap dry coriander in newspaper and store it in a dry box. The newspaper absorbs excess moisture, keeping the leaves fresh longer.

These simple, yet useful tricks, can save you valuable time and effort by avoiding frequent trips to the market to buy fresh coriander. Make sure to wash coriander when buy a new bunch to get rid of pests, soil and other foreign materials. Do not separate leaves from their stalks before storage and put them for storage only after coriander has dried out completely. Keep it away from sunlight in cool and dry environment.