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How to stop asparagus and herbs wilting in the fridge

A handy little hack.

If you’ve ever opened the fridge and reached for the asparagus, or the fresh basil you bought at the grocer, only to find both wilted and looking less-than-edible, then this story is for you.

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Considering most foods cost a pretty penny at the supermarket, there’s nothing worse than realising the hard-earned cash you spent on groceries is already going down the drain, and you haven’t even used the ingredients yet.

herbs in jar of water
(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

There’s a simple storage tip that can keep your herbs and asparagus fresh and perky in your fridge, and it’s easy to do.

Leave the rubber bands on your asparagus and cut off the bottom one inch of the stalk. Fill a glass jar with one to two inches of water. Pop the asparagus or your hers in the jar and store it in the fridge.

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What types of asparagus are there in Australia? Can asparagus be grown in pots? Easy to grow, asparagus crowns produce around 20 spears per year (once mature), remaining in situ for 15 years or more. With long root systems, they can’t be grown in pots, and don’t transplant well, requiring a permanent spot in the garden. The good news is, once established, they will reliably produce delicious spears every spring, with little or no maintenance  What are the benefits of eating asparagus? Asparagus is low in kilojoules, without fat or cholesterol, while providing fibre and inulin (a very important prebiotic). Asparagus provides the essential B group vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6 and biotin. Asparagus is a great source of folate, with a serve giving you over 20% of your daily needs. Folate is important for expectant mothers and for reducing heart disease risk. A serve of asparagus provides about a quarter of our daily needs of vitamin C. Asparagus has a brilliant range of bio-active compounds, such as antioxidants like rutin and beta-carotene. The research strongly suggests that the bioactive compounds in asparagus are keeping us healthy, well into old age. Asparagus has potassium and the compound nicotianamine to help keep your blood pressure healthy. Should fresh asparagus be refrigerated? Want to make make your asparagus go the distance? Once picked, keep them fresher for longer by storing them similar to fresh cut flowers. Stand the spears upright in a container with 1cm of cold water, cover and place in the fridge.
(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

If you don’t plan on cooking with the ingredients within the new two to three days, place a plastic snack bag over the tops of the asparagus or herbs to retain moisture and make them last longer.

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How to grow asparagus 

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