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You can pick cilantro by choosing bunches with bright green leaves and firm stems.
Look for cilantro that smells fresh and citrusy, not sour or musty.
Avoid cilantro with yellowing leaves, brown spots, or slimy stems.
If you want to pick cilantro that lasts, inspect the stems where they meet the leaves.
They should be crisp, not limp or mushy.
When you pick cilantro at the store, gently squeeze the bunch.
Fresh cilantro springs back, while old cilantro stays crushed.
You can pick cilantro with roots attached if you plan to store it in water.
And if you grow cilantro at home, pick cilantro in the morning when leaves are crisp.
Snip outer stems first so the plant keeps producing.
The way you pick cilantro affects how long it stays fresh.
So does the way you store cilantro.
In this post, we’ll cover how to pick and store cilantro so it stays vibrant for days.
How to Pick Cilantro: What to Look For
How to pick cilantro comes down to a few simple checks.
If you remember these, you’ll always bring home a bunch worth storing.
1. Leaves Should Be Bright Green and Perky
The first sign of good cilantro is color.
Bright green leaves mean the cilantro is fresh and full of flavor.
If you see yellow or brown leaves, that cilantro is already aging.
And if you pick cilantro with dark, wet spots, skip it because rot has started.
2. Stems Should Be Firm, Not Slimy
Stems tell you a lot about how to pick cilantro.
Firm stems snap when bent, while slimy stems mean bacteria are at work.
You can pick cilantro with tender stems because they’re edible and tasty.
But avoid cilantro with black or mushy stems, even if the leaves look okay.
3. Smell Matters More Than You Think
Cilantro should smell clean, fresh, and slightly citrusy.
If it smells like old grass or ammonia, don’t buy it.
When you pick cilantro, trust your nose as much as your eyes.
That quick sniff can save you from storing cilantro that’s already spoiling.
4. Roots Attached? Even Better
Cilantro with roots still attached lasts longer.
That’s because the roots keep drawing moisture into the leaves.
If you can pick cilantro with roots, you can store cilantro in a glass of water.
This method keeps cilantro fresh for up to two weeks.
How to Store Cilantro So It Lasts
How to store cilantro starts with drying it properly.
Wet leaves rot fast, so never store cilantro soaking wet.
Lay the bunch on a clean towel and pat it dry.
Then choose one of these storage methods.
1. The Glass of Water Method
This is the best way to store cilantro with roots or long stems.
Trim the stems and place cilantro in a glass with an inch of water.
Cover the leaves loosely with a plastic bag.
Change the water every couple of days.
Stored this way, cilantro stays fresh for one to two weeks.
2. The Damp Paper Towel Method
If you want to store cilantro in the fridge without water, use paper towels.
Wrap the dry cilantro loosely in a slightly damp paper towel.
Then place the bundle in a zip-top bag.
Press out most of the air, but leave a little room.
This keeps cilantro from drying out or getting slimy.
3. Freezing Cilantro for Long-Term Storage
If you can’t use cilantro within two weeks, freeze it.
Chop the cilantro and pack it into ice cube trays.
Cover with water or olive oil and freeze.
Once frozen, pop the cubes into a freezer bag.
Frozen cilantro works great in cooked dishes, though it won’t stay crisp for garnish.
4. What Not to Do When You Store Cilantro
Don’t wash cilantro before storing it unless you dry it completely.
Don’t store cilantro near ethylene-producing fruits like bananas or apples.
Don’t leave cilantro on the counter for days.
And don’t seal cilantro in a totally airtight container while it’s still damp.
These mistakes shorten the life of cilantro fast.
How to Pick and Store Cilantro: Quick Recap
How to pick and store cilantro really comes down to two habits.
Pick cilantro that’s bright, firm, and fresh-smelling.
Store cilantro dry, cool, and with a little airflow.
Whether you use the glass method, the paper towel method, or freeze cilantro, you now know how to pick cilantro and store cilantro like a pro.
Try these tips the next time you bring home a bunch, and enjoy fresh cilantro in your salsa, soups, and tacos all week.