How To Preserve Thai Basil – How To Preserve Thai Basil In Oil – Thai Basil Cubes – Preserve Thai Basil In Olive Oil – Best Way To Preserve Thai Basil – How To Freeze Thai Basil
Welcome to this post about how to preserve Thai basil. Since Thai basil is a variety that can grow very quickly in the right conditions and also produces a lot of harvests, it’s a good idea to know some of the best ways to preserve it. In this article, we will talk about some pretty common ways of preserving but also explain how you can ferment basil. A very old technique that is only recently starting to really gain traction. All the different approaches aim to maintain the best possible flavor of basil. All so you can use it in cooking whenever you want to.
Perhaps you’ve heard of people using basil in coffee? Well, we have written an article dedicated to this phenomenon. You can find it right here, Basil In Coffee, Is It Any Good?
How To Preserve Thai Basil
There are many ways of preserving basil and below is going to be some of our favorite ways. These have been tried and tested by both us, family members, and close friends. We can proudly say that it has had a pretty good success rate actually.
Another good way of preserving it is by fermenting the Thai basil. We find that the best way of doing this is by making a salt brine that contains a minimum of 2 % salt. We mix the cold water with the salt. Put the Thai basil leaves in a glass jar that you can seal. Then you can pour the brine over it and then seal the jar. The process of fermenting is made up by letting beneficial bacterias turn the contents sour. it will increase the umami and deepen the flavor of whatever you are fermenting. You should also stir the leaves around and submerge them every day for the first week. This will prevent any mold from forming on top. Use it in small proportions as it will be very flavorful.
Another good way is by drying the basil. This is best done with a large over tray spread out across it. Then you dry it in the oven at no more than 110 degrees. This will ensure that no flavors are lost in the drying process. Then you can keep them for however long you choose.
How To Preserve Thai Basil In Oil
Preserving Thai basil in oil is one of the best ways of keeping all that good flavor. But unfortunately, it’s not the technique that lasts the longest out of all these. But nonetheless, it’s our favorite. We do it by simply putting a bunch of Thai basil in a blender. Then we heat the oil to about 140 degrees or 70 Celsius. For half a liter of basil, you can use about 1 liter of oil. This will make sure you are not wasting your basil by using too little oil and also not using too much oil will dull the flavor. After you have heated the oil you can pour it over the basil and mix until very green. We recommend that you let it sit and blend for about 5 – 7 minutes. This will pulse out all the flavor and leave a fragrant and aromatic Thai basil oil.
Let’s reiterate again a little bit about what we have been talking about here. Thai basil can be preserved in a number of ways. All from preserving it in oil, to fermenting the basil or simply drying it. The choice really is yours.
Maybe you are wondering if you can freeze your basil at home and if it will stay good. Then we have another article that will explain all of that. Find it here, How To Preserve And Freeze Thai Basil.
Thai Basil Cubes
Thai basil cubes are a convenient way to add the flavor of Thai basil to your cooking without having to worry about the leaves going bad. To make Thai basil cubes, start by washing and drying the basil leaves. Next, chop the leaves finely and place them in an ice cube tray. Fill each cube with water and freeze until solid. Once frozen, pop the cubes out of the tray and transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to use them, simply drop a cube or two into your soup, stir-fry, or curry. The cubes will melt and release the flavor of the basil as they cook. Thai basil cubes can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Preserve Thai Basil In Olive Oil
Preserving Thai basil in olive oil is a great way to enjoy the herb’s flavor long after the growing season is over. Here are the steps to preserve Thai basil in olive oil:
- Wash and dry the Thai basil leaves. Remove any thick stems or damaged leaves.
- Chop the leaves finely with a sharp knife or use a food processor.
- Place the chopped leaves in an ice cube tray, filling each compartment about three-quarters full.
- Pour olive oil over the chopped leaves until the compartments are filled to the top.
- Place the ice cube tray in the freezer until the cubes are completely frozen.
- Pop the Thai basil cubes out of the tray and store them in a plastic freezer bag or airtight container in the freezer.
To use the Thai basil cubes, simply remove the desired amount from the freezer and add it to your favorite dishes, such as soups, stews, curries, and stir-fries. The olive oil will impart a subtle flavor to the dish, while the Thai basil adds a fresh and fragrant touch.
Best Way To Preserve Thai Basil
Preserving Thai basil is a great way to extend its shelf life and enjoy its flavor beyond the growing season. One of the best ways to preserve Thai basil is to make pesto or freeze it into cubes. To make pesto, blend Thai basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth. Then, transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
Another way to preserve Thai basil is to freeze it into cubes. To do this, chop the basil leaves and place them into ice cube trays. Fill the trays with water or olive oil and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the basil cubes to a freezer-safe container or bag and store them in the freezer. These basil cubes can be added to soups, stews, sauces, and stir-fries for a burst of Thai basil flavor. Another option is to preserve Thai basil in olive oil by blending the leaves with olive oil and storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How To Freeze Thai Basil
Freezing Thai basil is an easy and effective way to preserve the herb’s flavor and aroma. Here’s how you can freeze Thai basil:
- Clean the basil: Start by washing the Thai basil leaves in cold water and gently pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Blanch the leaves: Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the Thai basil leaves to the water. Let them blanch for about 2-3 seconds, then quickly remove them from the boiling water and transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. This will help preserve their color and flavor.
- Dry the leaves: Remove the blanched Thai basil leaves from the ice water and spread them out on a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel to dry.
- Pack the leaves: Once the Thai basil leaves are completely dry, pack them tightly into a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container, making sure to remove as much air as possible. Alternatively, you can chop the leaves and pack them into ice cube trays, covering them with water or olive oil before freezing.
- Freeze the leaves: Place the bag or container in the freezer and freeze until solid, which usually takes a few hours.
By following these steps, you can freeze Thai basil and enjoy its flavor and aroma in your dishes all year round.
