Plus, how to substitute one for the other.
Food preservation not only allows for a longer lifespan, its also sometimes more cost effective than buying fresh.
However, there are times when fresh just cant be beat.
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With different purposes and uses, heres when to use fresh herbs vs. dried herbs, and vice versa.
What Are Fresh Herbs?
There are thousands of plants with herbal uses.
A plant is considered an herb if its used for medicinal, culinary, or fragrance purposes.
Herbs can elevate a dish with strong aromas and flavors, as well as unique textures and vibrant colors.
Like the name suggests, fresh herbs are, well, fresh.
Theyre not preserved in any wayjust plucked or picked from where they were grown.
Because theyre fresh, they dont have an indefinite shelf life.
When stored properly in the refrigerator, fresh herbs can last for up to two to three weeks.
Of the many varieties of herbs, some are more popular than others.
They each offer different flavors, aromas, and intensities.
Though theyre usually green, herbs can come in a variety of colors.
Take garlic for example.
Garlic is a root vegetable thats often used as an herb or spice.
What Are Dried Herbs?
Dried herbs are dehydrated herbs.
However, they may lose their freshness and intensity of flavor after a year.
Contrary to what you may assume, dried herbs often have a stronger flavor than fresh herbs.
Drying them amplifies their flavors, making them more intense.
Therefore, you need a smaller amount of dried herbs to get the same effect as their fresh counterparts.
Herbs commonly sold fresh are usually available dried or dehydrated, too.
Some examples includegranulated garlic, bay leaves, and parsley flakes.
Some herbs may be freeze-dried, such as chives.
Dried herbs offer a similar but more concentrated flavor than the fresh versions.
They also tend to be less expensive to buy.
Heres when you should choose fresh herbs over dried herbs.
The best time to add fresh herbs is at the end of (or after) cooking.
Raw dishes almost always benefit most from fresh herbs instead of dried.
When other ingredients are fresh, such as in gazpacho ortabbouleh, the herbs should be fresh too.
This also applies tosalads, sauces, dressings, anddips.
you’re able to also use fresh herbs for garnish or finishing touches.
Green, leafy herbs add a pop of color to finished dishes, serving as a decoration.
They can also reinforce the flavor of herbs used during cooking.
Plus, theyre shelf-stable and last for months or years before expiring, helping to reduce food waste.
For dishes with long cooking times, dried herbs are best.
They can also withstand the heat.
Slowly cooked dishes, such as hot soups, stews, andbraised meats, may call for dried herbs.
Though leafy herbs are better fresh, some robust herbs hold up extremely well when dried.
You dont have to worry about a lack of flavor with these.
There may also be times when fresh herbs arent accessible.
Theyre also the better choice if youre trying to stick to a budget.
Can You Use Fresh Herbs Instead of Dried Herbs?
Dried herbs are best added towards the beginning of the cooking process.
Ultimately, these are just general rules of thumb.
