Curry leaves, also known as kadi patte are a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine. From North Indian dishes like Punjabi kadhi to South Indian staples like sambar, curry leaves are a non-negotiable ingredient. Their unique aroma and flavour are known to enhance the taste of any delicacy.

Since it is so popularly used in Indian households, people usually buy a large amount of curry leaves, and some even have kadi patta plants in their kitchen gardens. But with fresh curry leaves, the risk of them getting spoiled without proper storage always persists. So, if you want to increase the shelf life of curry leaves, here are some tips to store them in a refrigerator while keeping the flavour intact.

Wash And Dry Before Storing

One of the most important steps before storing curry leaves is to ensure that they are clean and dry. Since moisture and dust are the major reasons why the curry leaves get spoiled, you can rinse them under running water and then spread the leaves on a kitchen towel. Next, you can let them leave them open for a couple of hours so that they can be air-dried naturally.

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Also Read: 7 Dishes That Are Incomplete Without Curry Leaves

Use An Airtight Container

Once the rinsed curry leaves are completely dry, you can pick up an airtight container or even a ziplock bag. The moisture and exposure to air can make the curry leaves lose their unique taste and fragrance. So, ensure that you remove the air and seal the container or the bag properly before refrigerating the curry leaves.

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Use Paper Towels

To ensure that the curry leaves are not completely dried out, maintaining a perfect moisture balance is necessary. You can do so by placing a few paper towels at the top and bottom of the air-tight container. This will help absorb excess moisture that might accumulate without over-drying the leaves.

Freeze The Leaves

While refrigeration will increase the shelf life of curry leaves to 2-3 weeks, if you want to increase it further, you can freeze it. After rinsing and drying the curry leaves, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe airtight container. This can help retain the flavour and nutrients of the curry leaves for about six months.

Make A Paste

If you have a lot of curry leaves and you want to preserve them for a much longer time in a compact space, you can also choose to make a paste. All you need to do is blend fresh curry leaves with a little water till you get a smooth paste. You can then freeze it in an airtight container or transfer the paste into an ice cube tray, which would be more convenient to use.