The Benefits Of Freezing Fresh Herbs In Olive Oil

Herbs in olive oil are a wonderful tool in the kitchen. Not only do they have a medicinal function, but they also give extra flavor to our stews and daily food.

The big problem we have with fresh herbs is that it is difficult to keep them for a long time. The herbs are often wasted or neglected after we buy them, unless of course you have an herb garden with thyme, mint, basil and rosemary.

Do not throw away the herbs any longer. In this article we present the ideal solution to you. If you freeze your favorite herbs in olive oil, you get an ideal kitchen remedy.

Below we explain the method and the advantages of the technique. It’s a handy idea that you can reuse every day.

If I freeze my herbs in olive oil, will they lose their strength?

Everyone knows that we need to consume most plants and vegetables as quickly as possible if we want to get the maximum amount of nutrients from them.

Today, there are several ways to preserve aromatic herbs without losing their nutritional value.

• We can use herbs (for example, oregano, basil) in dry form.
• Essential oils are also a good alternative to use.
• We can also freeze them in olive oil and increase their nutritional value.

Freezing herbs does not change their composition and original nutritional value at all.

Can you freeze olive oil?

This is a very important question that we must ask ourselves. The answer is ‘yes, you can freeze olive oil perfectly without any loss of nutritional value.’

You must use the olive oil on the same day that it is thawed. If you want to refreeze the olive oil after thawing, it will no longer be edible. It can even be unhealthy and cause botulism.

Olive oil consists almost entirely of oleic acid and this starts to stiffen at a temperature of 4°C. At 0ºC small lumps begin to form. This is a very normal process that does not involve any risks. Freezing does not affect the composition and perfectly preserves the essential omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

Benefits of freezing herbs in olive oil

Freezing is an easy, simple and effective process to preserve the nutritional value of both the olive oil and fresh herbs. If you’re still not convinced, see how this “trick” can also have a positive impact on your health:

• It is a natural means of weight loss. The healthy fats and essential oils give us a feeling of fullness in the stomach, which stimulates our body to digest food.
• Olive oil in combination with rosemary has an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help against pain caused by, for example, arthritis.
• Olive oil in combination with sage can help against menstrual pain.

• The combination of olive oil with herbs such as basil, thyme or rosemary strengthens our immune system.
• If you suffer from indigestion, flatulence or heartburn, try olive oil with mint leaves. This combination gives a beautiful and tasty result.

How do you freeze fresh herbs with olive oil?

The first thing to do is to choose the best fresh herbs for freezing. Chamomile and dandelion, for example, are less suitable for freezing.

Stronger herbs with more antioxidants work better. Below we propose a number of herbs that are very suitable for freezing with olive oil. We also explain what other supplies you need to have to freeze herbs in olive oil.

What do you need?

• rosemary
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Peppermint
• Sage
• Fennel
• A mold to make ice cubes
• Extra virgin olive oil (for pouring into the mould)
• Plastic wrap to cover

Preparation

• After you have selected your fresh herbs, rinse them well and cut them into small pieces. They have to fit in the boxes.
• Divide the herbs over the compartments of the mold.
• Then you can drizzle them with extra virgin olive oil. Very easy.
• After you’ve done this, cover the mold with foil to better preserve the herbs. Then put the mold with herbs in the freezer.

After a night in the freezer, your herbs in olive oil are ready. Now use your culinary imagination and take advantage of this handy and nutritious trick. You can use the ice cubes in stews, purees, soups or on your bread for breakfast.

Are you convinced?