corriander preservation

[lez]

Does anyone have any tips on the best way to keep corriander leaves for use during winter. I know it is a fickle plant to grow and bolts easily but if successful would like to keep leaves for winter soups like carrot and corriander. I wonder if drying or freezing is the best way or are there any other methods.

[Capsid]

Tricky one. I just buy fresh coriander from the supermarket. Drying or freezing will lose that distinctive flavour and smell that fresh coriander has.

[Hilary B]

I've not had much use of corriander leaves, but herbs in general, I would prefer to freeze rather than dry. DON'T use the 'ice cube' approach to freezing, all you get is dilution of flavour when you want to use it. 'open freeze' stems with leaves on, and when brittle, crumble the 'best bits' into a small plastic box. You can use it from frozen.
Herbs which are invariably used with the same 'base' may be better frozen in the 'part prepared' base (eg, basil in a tomato sauce/puree), that will preserve the flavour better than freezing separately and combining later.

[Rhona]

This is apt - just found frozen coriander in the freezer at Waitrose and bought it to give it a try. I can't keep plants alive and use tons of it so we'll see. Going to grow leaf coriander this Spring. Or z try anyway.

[smallblueplanet]

We just buy a pkt of fresh coriander from whichever supermarket and put it as-is into the freezer - chop 'chunks' off as needed.

[lez]

thanks all for the tips. Will give it a go all of them and see which suits best.