Brilio.net - Basil is a popular leaf spice among lovers of fresh vegetables. This aromatic plant is often used as a complement to dishes, especially as a fresh vegetable eaten raw. Many people enjoy the fragrant and fresh aroma of basil which can increase appetite.
In addition to being a side dish, basil leaves also function as a natural flavoring in various dishes. Some examples of dishes that often use basil include rica-rica, tempeh sambal, woku chicken, and various types of stir-fries. The addition of basil can strengthen the taste and distinctive aroma of the dish.
Due to its wide use in culinary, many people choose to store basil in large quantities. One storage method used is to freeze basil in the freezer. This method can extend the shelf life of basil for up to several weeks.
Although freezing can preserve basil longer, there is a downside to this method. When frozen basil is thawed at room temperature, the leaves tend to wilt quickly and turn black. This change can affect the aroma and flavor of the basil when used in cooking.
To minimize such problems, you can imitate a trick to preserve basil shared by a YouTube user named Sasa Suratman. Through one of the videos uploaded, he shared the usual way to make basil last longer. Not only stored or soaked in water, there is an additional kitchen ingredient used to make basil last longer.
As reported by BrilioFood on Monday (30/9), the YouTube user initially showed the condition of basil that had been stored for 1 week inside. Even though it had been stored for quite a long time, the basil still looked fresh green. Neither the leaves nor the stems were black at all.
photo: YouTube/Sasa Suratman
So, this basil is stored with its stems in a jar filled with a little water. Then the basil is covered with clear plastic that has been given holes. The use of these holes will help the air circulation in the basil leaves to remain smooth, so that the leaves do not easily rot and turn black due to moisture.
After being wrapped, the basil is stored in the refrigerator door . In addition to being stored in this way, Sasa also has another trick to make it last longer. She admitted to using additional salt to preserve the basil.
photo: YouTube/Sasa Suratman
So the salt used is coarse salt which has coarser grains. This salt has a much saltier taste, so it is often used to preserve and make salted fish. According to Sasa, coarse salt also contains higher alkali, which functions to strengthen the stem, control fungi and bacteria, and prevent basil leaves from falling out.
photo: YouTube/Sasa Suratman
To use it, simply dissolve 1/2 tsp of salt in 1 liter of water. Then pour some of the salt water in a jar to soak the basil stems. While the rest can be put into a spray bottle to then be sprayed on the leaves.
"So when I store it in the refrigerator, sometimes I open the plastic, then spray the leaves with salt solution. After that, close it again," explained YouTube Sasa Suratman.
photo: YouTube/Sasa Suratman
Spray this salt water every few days to keep the salt fresh and green. Also, don't forget to change the soaking water gradually. That way, the basil stems will remain sturdy and the leaves will not easily wilt or fall off.
After being sprayed and the water changed, the basil is ready to be stored again. This preservation process can make basil last for weeks, you know. So you can use the fresh basil that is stored at any time.
photo: YouTube/Sasa Suratman
How? Easy enough, right? The upload about the trick to preserve basil immediately attracted the attention of netizens. Some even responded directly through the comments column.
"Cool, Ms. Sasa... now I have another way to store basil, Barakallah, Ms," said YouTube Lestari Winarni.
"Great, fragrant and green," said YouTube FHADIL KHAN CHANNEL.