Q&A for How to Store Fresh Basil

Use it as a dried herb. If you water your plant more, and you will get less flowers and more leaf. Basil loves and thrives with a constant moist soil, and 6-8 hours of direct sun.

Not really, because you can literally grow basil in water with no soil.

The best way for basil to retain freshness in the refrigerator is to wrap it in moist paper towels and place it in a plastic container.

Fresh basil should not be refrigerated, but kept in a cool place, preferably with stems in fresh water, out of the sunlight. Use within a week or so. The chef probably just had it in there for convenience, but it does send the wrong message!

Blanching the basil keeps it green after picking or slicing. Place the basil leaves into boiling water for a few seconds (up to 10), then remove and immediately place into a bowl of ice cold water. Make sure ice is abundant and put more ice in if melted. Remove from ice bath and pat dry for use.

If you want to put the roots in water, remove any leaves that might otherwise be under water. A better way to prolong the life of your rooted basil is to plant it in the garden or a pot outdoors. Just be sure to keep the soil moist until the roots are established.

Store it in a vase like fresh cut flowers. That's good for many different herbs. Cut basil turns black quickly. You could mix it with the oil and refrigerate it and use it for cooking the next day, or freeze it in the oil to use as needed.

If the leaves are already plucked from the stems, your best option is likely to blanch and then freeze the basil (see the directions above). Tell your friends to keep the leaves frozen until they're ready to use them, and to use them within 3-6 months.

See the wikiHow article How to Dry Basil in the Oven. Dried basil has a slightly different flavor profile than fresh basil, but it's still a great addition to a wide range of dishes.