Useful Gadget? Herb Saver

Recently, a friend was telling us about the herb saver she'd just bought, and the fact that she couldn't stop gushing about it for at least ten minutes got us pretty curious! We've seen gadgets like this before, but we've always written them off as unnecessary or gimicky. Have you ever tried a product like this?

What really caught our attention is that our friend said she currently had herbs in her fridge that were at least a month old and still seemed as fresh as the day she bought them. That's longer than we've been able to keep cut herbs using our preferred method of putting them in a glass of water and keeping them in the fridge.

Most versions of this device seem to operate on the same principle: tall canisters for storing the herbs with a well in the bottom for fresh water. The product descriptions don't mention any ventilation or other special herb-saving technology, but you can make out air vents in the pictures of some of the products.

We're still pretty skeptical. The biggest advantage that we can see for buying one of these is that it keeps the herbs neat and contained, and there's not as much risk of spilling herb water all over your fridge (been there, done that!). We wonder if we could make a similar, if less classy-looking, device by poking a few holes in an empty 16-ounce yogurt container.

Here are a few brands to check out. Our friend was using the Prepara Herb Saver:

• Prepara Herb Saver, $29.95 on Amazon
• Progressive International Herb Keeper, $14 on Amazon
• Cuisipro Herb Keeper, $20 on Amazon

What do you think?

Comments (12)

I haven't tried that either, so can't really say if it's better. But taking the idea to DIY - I just took a long narrow plastic container (about 4" high, maybe 8" long, 3-4" wide) that fits perfectly into the bottom shelf of my fridge door, put water in the bottom and put all my herbs in it. Working great so far and because it fits perfectly into the door shelf, there's no tipping or spilling.

I have the Progressive one in the middle. I paid around $5-7 for it at Ross or TJMaxx, but I don't think I'd pay $14. It works as well as standing your herbs up in a glass and putting the produce bag around them. The only benefit I see is that this is more stable (my herb-filled glasses have gotten knocked over in the fridge when I'm rummaging around). The important part is to change the water frequently--that's how some of my herbs have lasted a month. I guess it is a little easier to refill when the bottom screws off, so that could be another perk.

I've been using the method of cutting the bottom of the herbs and putting in a glass with an inch of so of water- and leaving that by the window so it gets some sun. And my rosemary has been alive and fresh (dare I say fresher than the day I bought it?) for a month now! I think sunlight is the key- and you probably don't need to buy one of these gadgets.

I wrap my herbs in a paper towel and keep them in one of those Green Bags. They really work! I've even kept cilantro for several weeks with minimal sliminess.

But now that chives, oregano, parsley and sage are coming up in the garden, I can just go outside and cut!

I wonder if one could be made from a French press?

I have the Progressive International Herb Keeper (Middle one) and it really keeps the herbs bright and crisp for weeks. I was not too happy to discover it this morning in my fridge, on its side, leaking water on top of a pizza box. I called over my boyfriend who quickly apologized saying, "Uhhh, I thought it was vacuum sealed or something, so I just put it in sideways...."

My only concern, other then my boyfriend not understanding why this shouldn't be placed on its side, is that a traditional herb bundle like cilantro and italian parsley is cramped up at the top.

I bought the Prepara version recently and based on one experiment with cilantro, I'm a believer. The herb has stayed fresh and pretty (not skanky and brown), and it's going on two weeks!

Or you can grow them in a pot on your windowsill and just cut what you need when you need it!

I'm sure you could make something like this with relative ease. if they have a habit of leaking you could just use a mason jar.

Also- I forgot to mention- when using the cup on a windowsill option for preserving herbs, you have to change the water every couple days (I change daily since its so little water).

I wrap my herbs in a paper towel and place them in a plastic bag perforated with a fork or in my Tupperware fridge smart bins. I replace the paper towels every few days and my herbs (even the basil) last for more than a week.

This sounds kind of gross but I saw a method where you squish out all the air from your bag and then blow into it (like a baloon) and then seal off. This method typically keeps my cilantro, parsley, and basil for double as long.

As for heartier herbs like rosemary and thyme, I'll either freeze them or put them in a jar on the windowsill like youri117. If your lucky enough, the rosemary will develop a root system (with frequent water changes of course) which you can then transfer into an outdoor planter. Worked for me last year!

i also have the progressive one, bought at TJMaxx for $7. though i don't buy herbs too often b/c i grow just about everything fresh, i LOVE this little guy for asparagus. i wash them, snap the ends, and stick the entire bunch in this container. prep work is done and they stay green and unslimey for at least 2 weeks (and these veggies don't take space in the crisper drawer- added bonus!)