I have wondered for many years why is it that when I buy basil and place it in the fridge, it wilts and turns black within a day or two. The secret is, not to place basil in a refrigerator – basil hates the cold.

Instead, treat basil like you would flowers. When you bring home basil, cut off the ends, fill a glass or a vase with cold water, place the bunch of basil and cover loosely with plastic bag or a zip lock bag, and leave it out on the counter. You will get 5-7 days shelf life for your basil. This creates kind of  like a greenhouse effect. Be sure to change the water every other day and use the leaves as needed.

Brought home basil and the leaves are a bit wilted already? Don’t panic. Follow the steps above and after a day the basil will come back to life!

Got any kitchen tips to share? If so, leave a comment below.