Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Basil

market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Market Farming

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Richard Stewart <rstewart AT zoomtown.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Basil
  • Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:30:40 -0400

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



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





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page