How Long Do Chives Last?: Have you ever bought a whole bunch of chives and ended up feeling overwhelmed with all the green long stalks? Or maybe you recently came across your “ancient” packet of chives in the freezer and now wondering how long chives last?
If you are familiar with any of these situations, then this article is for you. By the end of this piece, you will be well versed with the shelf life, expiry date, storage techniques, and red flags of spoilage of chives. Let’s dive in and discover more!!
- How Long Do Chives Last?
- How To Store Chives and Make Them Last Longer?
- Tips To Remember While Storing Chives
- How To Tell If Chives Have Gone Bad?’
- Is it better to freeze or dry fresh chives?
- What do you do with too many chives?
- How long do chives last in the fridge?
How Long Do Chives Last?
Chives tend to last less as compared to their distant cousins aka onions and garlic. Therefore, they require extra care if you wish to extend their shelf life and deter the cycle of perishability. The exact shelf life of chives might be hard to determine as it can be influenced by the slightest change in room temperature, transport methods, farming processes, and their handling by your local shop. However, the estimated shelf life of chives in different conditions has been given below for your reference.
| Type of Chives | Shelf Life at Room Temperature | Shelf Life in the Refrigerator |
|---|---|---|
| Chives (As it is) | 1-2 days | 3-4 days |
| Chives (Wrapped in Dry paper towels) | 2-3 days | Up to a week |
| Chives (Stems placed in water jar) | 2-3 days | 7-8 days |
| Chives ( Wrapped in moist paper towels followed by placing in plastic bag) | 2-3 days | 2 weeks |
How To Store Chives and Make Them Last Longer?
Chives are extremely healthy, both in raw and cooked forms. If you are one of those health enthusiasts, then these green stalks will find their way into your kitchen soon. So, it makes sense to be prepared for storing the fresh bundle of chives properly. In this section, we will tell you everything you need to know about stacking your chives like a professional, thereby keeping them fresh for a long time.
- If you are confident about using up the complete bundle of chives within a day of purchasing it, then you need not worry about storing them. Chives tend to stay fresh on the kitchen counter, at room temperature, for at least a day. However, you can consider covering them up to avoid dust from settling down.
- On the other hand, if you wish to keep chives for up to 5 days, then wrap them in paper towels or parchment paper that absorbs the extra moisture. Now, keep them in the crisper drawer.
- If your packed chives are already near their expiration dates, then it is best to place them in the freezer.
- Now, there are a number of ways to approach this situation. You can cover the stems with damp (beware, not wet) paper towels and keep them in the freezer bags. Make sure that the bag is left open to allow moisture to escape. Lastly, you can fill an airtight jar with a few cm of water and place the stalks straight in it. The Bonus Point is that your freezer will look more aesthetic.
- If you are one of those people who frequently forget about the veggies in the refrigerator, then this tip can save you trouble. Simply, chop chives into small pieces, place them in an airtight bag and store it away in the freezer.
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Tips To Remember While Storing Chives
Apart from the above-mentioned storing tips, you should also know some science behind these stacking tactics. Avoid making these mistakes while storing your fresh bundle of chives.
- Chives stay fresh for the longest in the temperature range of 0-5 degrees Celsius.
- They prefer a lot of humidity but deteriorate fast when this moisture doesn’t escape. Therefore, you should leave the jar or paper bag, wherein you placed chives, open in the freezer. Also, ensure that paper towels, which are wrapped around the stalks, are damp and not wet.
- If you place them directly in a vessel full of water, then at least change the water every 2 days. It prevents mold formation due to the stagnation of water.
- The cooked or chopped chives can be preserved only in the freezer. So, avoid leaving them out on the kitchen counter.
- If you are about to use them instantly, then you may wash them. However, if you are about to store them, then pat them dry properly before placing them in any container.
How To Tell If Chives Have Gone Bad?’
Not only shall you be confident about storing your chives, but also learn about the signs of spoilage in them. No worries, we got your back. If you read through this section, you can learn all about the red flags that you must get aware of if you are looking to save those fresh chives.
- Any discoloration or “funny” transparency in the stalks of chives clearly indicates that they have gone bad. Obviously, you can chop off the “bad” parts and use the leftovers.
- If you detect some black/ brown mold on chives, then you should immediately get rid of them before they spoil other veggies in your fridge.
- You should also consider getting rid of them if they have turned mushy over time. Any leftovers in the refrigerator after 2 weeks should also be discarded. After all, precaution is better than cure.
If you are interested in knowing more about Do Spices Go Bad go through our article and learn about spoilage signs, tips to store, etc.
FAQs on How Long Do Chives Last
1. Is it better to freeze or dry fresh chives?
If you wish to savor the taste of chives for a very long time, then it is better to freeze them. Furthermore, freezing will extend the shelf life considerably without affecting the flavor and nutrient profiles. All you need to do is wrap them in damp paper towels before placing them in freezer bags. Try leaving these bags open for moisture exchange.
2. What do you do with too many chives?
If you have bought more chives than you need, then you can wrap them up in parchment paper or damp paper towels. Later on, either you may leave them on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator, according to your need.
3. How long do chives last in the fridge?
If stored properly in damp paper towels, chives may last up to 10 days in the refrigerator. After chopping them, they can last for at least a week in the freezer. Chives need a temperature range of 0-5 degree celsius for proper survival.
Summary
We hope that this article tended to all of your worries about chives and their shelf life, storage, and expiry dates. These long and slender green stalks are rich in fiber and can be utilized for any smoothie or stuffing. So, you shouldn’t hesitate to include them in your daily meals. Moreover, check out the website for more informative and fun articles like Can Cinnamon Go Bad about your favorite food items, beverages and spices.