Avoid An Apothecary Nightmare: Mastering Herb Selection
Essential Tips for Identifying Fresh, High-Quality Herbs
It's important to remember that not all herbal shops adhere to essential herb preservation methods. To ensure you're purchasing the freshest herbs, here are some key indicators of good storage practices:
1. Herb Container Color and Covering: Quality apothecaries store herbs in dark-colored glass, like amber, to protect them from light. If not dark glass, then they should at least use covers to shield their products. Transparent glass or plastic containers are red flags – they show a lack of commitment to basic storage principles.
2. Store Lighting: The lighting in the store matters. A good herb shop avoids bright, harsh lighting, especially if they use clear glass containers. Prolonged exposure to artificial light can degrade the quality of herbs. Why invest in herbs that have been diminishing in quality under store lights for extended periods?
3. Container Size and Management: The size of the containers used in the store is crucial. While large containers may seem efficient for bulk, they're not always ideal. For herbs that are less frequently purchased, large containers mean they sit for longer periods, potentially losing potency due to excess air exposure. Check if the store uses vacuum-sealing methods or oxygen absorbers to maintain freshness, especially for popular herbs that are frequently accessed.
4. Store Temperature and Humidity: The temperature inside the herb shop is a telling sign. It should be comfortably cool – neither hot nor cold. Excessive heat and humidity can lead to mold growth, so watch out for any signs of condensation in containers. A well-regulated room temperature is optimal for preserving herb quality.
Remember, the potency of herbs is at its peak when they're fresh, and it diminishes with time and exposure to light, humidity, and oxygen. This is particularly true for powdered herbs, which shelf life is already much shorter. Being mindful of these storage practices will help you choose the best possible herbs for your needs.
Camille Charles is the voice behind The Minimalist Herbalist. She is an Herbal Researcher, Best-Selling Author and Consumer Advocate. You can find her distilling rose water in her instant pot, repurposing olive jars to store her cacao butter and overnight nettle infusions. She talks way too much about tinctures for womb health. When not writing or checking on her brews, she designs graphics