Chives are one of the most popular herbs in the herb bed, on the balcony or on the windowsill. But how can you enjoy its taste longer? You can find the answer here.
In a nutshell
- Wash and cut the chives thoroughly
- place in cans, freezer bags or ice cube trays
- then freeze the selected container with chives
Table of contents
- harvest chives
- How does freezing work?
- Variant 1: the freezer bag
- Variant 2: the airtight can
- Variant 3: ice cube tray
- frequently asked Questions
harvest chives
Chives growing under optimal conditions quite fast. You can usually harvest the first stalks as early as March if you still have a plant left over from the previous year. Please note, however, that the stalks are approx. should be 15 cm before you cut it. The general harvest season for chives lasts until the first flowers appear. After that, the stalks no longer have any taste. However, the shelf life can be slightly extended if all visible flower buds are cut off.
Tip: Flowering chives provide a food source for wild bees and other insects.
How does freezing work?
There are several ways to properly freeze chives. The first steps are the same for all three variants.
Preparation:
- Wash the harvested chives thoroughly
- shake the stalks well or pat dry
- Cut the chives into fine rings
Variant 1: the freezer bag
For freezing various herbs, but also other foods, the freezer bag is probably the most well-known variant.
To do this, the cut rings are placed in the freezer bag, which preferably has a zip fastener. The freezer bag can then simply be placed in the freezer.
Variant 2: the airtight can
This variant is also very popular with many, as you can easily remove the chives in portions.
Put the rings in a jar and place in the freezer.
Variant 3: ice cube tray
This practical variant combines two things at once. Oil/butter and chive rings can be frozen together, which is especially handy as an ingredient for stir-fries or stir-fries.
Place the sliced rings in ice cube molds and fill with oil or melted butter.
A notice: Freeze the ice cube mold for 3-4 hours in the freezer and then transfer to a freezer bag. How to avoid freezer burn.
frequently asked Questions
Since chives can lose a lot of their flavor, you should use them within 6 months. Dried chives, on the other hand, last approx. 12 months.
When it comes to flavor, it's better to freeze the chives as they lose a lot of flavor as they dry and taste much milder overall.
Theoretically, you can also freeze the stalks of chives whole. However, portioning is then no longer so easy and cutting is rather tedious.
