Parsley, when to harvest and store it perfectly: don’t make a mistake

Collect parsley
Among the most appreciated aromatic plants of all time, we must certainly mention parsley. It is in fact a very tasty food, with a spicy and unique taste. It can be placed on many dishes to which it can certainly give that extra touch. Obviously, like everything, this too tends to spoil over the days.

Precisely for this reason, it is advisable to learn the conservation techniques that could help this vegetable to maintain its characteristics. It is also important to know that there are good times to harvest it because it is at certain times of the year that it is able to give its best in terms of taste and yield. Here is what we discovered about parsley, the harvest periods and especially its conservation.

Parsley: the characteristics of the aromatic plant
When we talk about aromatic herbs, it is impossible not to mention parsley. This plant is really widespread in all regions of Italy. It is very easy to grow and has many health benefits for those who consume it. We remember it for the therapeutic use it can have against water retention and the accumulation of excess fluids. Its leaves are also detoxifying and their regular intake could help eliminate toxins that accumulate in the body.

Parsley
The benefits come from the presence of all the components that contribute to making parsley a noble food. We are talking about fats, sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, sodium, potassium, calcium and iron, all truly precious elements. According to some experts, parsley is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory and can be used to combat bad breath and aid digestion. It can be eaten both raw and cooked, as every recipe can be enhanced according to the use of this food. In some areas of Italy it is used to decorate dishes, as its leaves are truly characteristic.

When to harvest it: here is the right time
As mentioned above, there is a time of year when it is best to pick parsley. In this case, we are not talking about months or seasons but about a growth phase that occurs in this plant. To benefit from the organoleptic qualities of the product, it is advisable to harvest parsley before flowering. In fact, when the flowers bloom, the flavor of the leaves becomes lighter.

Parsley
It is also possible to harvest it when new leaves emerge after pruning, or when the external parts of the plant are too large compared to the internal parts. These little tips allow you to identify the best phase for harvesting, not only for what you will bring to the table, but also for the new possibilities that will open up to the plant. The new leaves will thus have the opportunity to develop, while in the presence of the old ones they could dry out earlier than necessary.

How to store fresh parsley?
The same precautions must be taken when storing fresh parsley. This plant is really very delicate, which is why it could be damaged if it is not protected in the best possible way. Parsley can be stored in the freezer if it is placed in special bags and defrosted at the time of consumption.

However, as for the refrigerator, it is necessary to store the parsley in plastic packaging or in a piece of aluminum foil. In this case, however, the precious aromatic herb will only be valid for three days, after which it will be thrown away. Many suggest placing the parsley in a damp cloth and placing it in a freezer bag. This way, it will release moisture and its leaves will not dry out prematurely.

A classic type of preservation involves the possibility of placing parsley in water. Simply put the stems of the vegetable in water, cover everything with transparent film and place the parsley in the refrigerator. In this case, the product should last about a week. Have you ever tried any of these tricks?