[Market-farming] Basil

Richard Stewart rstewart at zoomtown.com
Tue Jul 21 09:30:40 EDT 2009


We cut ours early in the morning along with the other herbs and dip it  
ini cool well water.  THen it is placed in bunches that are about 6 to  
8oz of basil in quart jars.  THe jars are placed in 2 liter racks (the  
kind you might see at a Stop and Go that hold 4 of them for  
transport...same dimensions as a quart jar).

Then we stand them in a cool shaded location. Cool = Not Hot.  Do not  
chill or refrigerate.

Our basil will last for 4 to 5 days this way.  Stuff like tarragon and  
cilantro tend to be less robust but will still do well for at least 48  
hours.

All our herbs look wilty the first 2 hours then they bounce back.   
Picking them early before the heat sets on is key, especially if you  
are picking them to sell later that afternoon.

We do this same picking method regardless if its for market or a  
restaurant order.  Do not remove leaves and sell and do not bag.  The  
longer any of the herbs stay on the stem and in water the longer they  
stay fresh and pungent.

Or so is my experience.  :)

Richard Stewart
Carriage House Farm
North Bend, Ohio

An Ohio Century Farm Est. 1855

(513) 967-1106
http://www.carriagehousefarmllc.com
rstewart at zoomtown.com



On Jul 21, 2009, at 5:44 AM, Tom at Limerock wrote:

> Hi.
>
> We are growing basil for our on-farm market and having trouble with it
> holding up.
>
> How do y'all store and package basil without it getting dark green/ 
> brown
> (from too cold of temps I think) and how do you package it to keep  
> it form
> wilting and/or getting slimy?
>
> I have tried it in loose in large bags, and loose in peck boxes,  
> kept in the
> walk-in and it gets dark green/brown.
>
> On the counter, it is tightly packed in zip bags which are left  
> partially
> open to breathe and it creates moisture.
>
> Any and all thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Tom
> Limerock Orchards and Roadside Market
> Near Lake Erie
> (needing rain badly)
>
> _______________________________________________
> Market-farming mailing list
> Market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/market-farming
>

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