Nothing compliments a dish like the proper application of fresh herbs. Whether it’s simple basil ribbons atop a fresh pizza or savory sage butter to baste a steak, fresh herbs take your culinary masterpieces to the next level.
In recent years, however, the price of fresh herbs in many grocery stores around the country has encouraged people to forgo knocking their dishes up a notch.
It’s not at all uncommon these days to see a small packet of fresh herbs retailing for around five dollars a pack. For some dishes that’s a significant percentage of the overall cost for simple, sometimes subtle flavors.
Growing herbs is becoming a trend among those who want to don’t want to scrimp on flavor but also don’t want to break the bank cooking the meals they love.
Here are 5 reasons you should consider joining their ranks:
1. Cost
As previously mentioned, the cost of fresh herbs in the grocery seems to be skyrocketing as of late.
Let’s use sage as an example. I’ve personally witnessed a packet of fresh sage at my local grocer retail for over five dollars, and this isn’t uncommon.
Now consider that I can buy a sage plant, ready to take home with its own pot and soil, for twenty-five bucks, sometimes less. All it needs when I bring it home is sun and water.
I don’t use fresh sage incredibly often, but when I need it there’s no substitute. Nothing else has that flavor.
Sage is also quite potent as far as herbs go. When too much sage has been added to a dish it’s painfully obvious to the palette, but just the right amount can perfectly elevate a meal. You don’t need much.
With a sage plant, if I use a couple of leaves (that’s usually all it takes) only five times all year, I get my money’s worth out of the plant. Consider also that sage is a perennial and can potentially be harvested year-round.
Even if you buy a sage plant at the beginning of the spring and it somehow dies as winter approaches, you’ve likely gotten more value out of that plant than you would by going to the grocery store every time you needed fresh sage.
2. Herbs on Demand
I cannot say how many times I have gone to the store with a written list in hand, and somehow manage to forget one crucial ingredient for a masterpiece I was looking forward to preparing. I know I’m not alone in this.
Often, I forget something small, like that packet of fresh basil that resided on my list between steak and beer. With distractions like that to contend with, the basil never really had a fair shot.
With a basil plant at home, I don’t have to worry about putting it on a list only to have it forgotten due to the distractions of more appealing treats.
Sometimes I’m simply making an impromptu meal with what I have available, and having fresh herbs on demand in my arsenal of ingredients allows me to raise the bar.
3. Green Up a Living Space
Fresh herbs don’t need a lot of room to grow. A backyard will work, but a balcony or even a window sill is all most herbs need to thrive.
I walk into people’s houses all the time that have small jade plants or succulents hugging their windowsills or corners of sunny rooms. The greenery brightens up the room and makes it feel more alive.
Why not have fresh herbs instead?
They green up the room just as well, with the added benefit of catching the refreshing scent of aromatic herbs throughout the day.
4. Herbs Keep Pests Away
Some places are worse than others, but everywhere throughout the country people experience the annoyance of pests, especially in the summer months. There is a plethora of solutions to this problem, but one solution tends to be consistently overlooked.
Many herbs deter certain bugs from sharing the area. The therapeutic smells many people love about fresh herbs drive pests away.
Rosemary, for example, is a hearty, easy-to-grow herb that can keep away flies and mosquitoes. Aside from being incredibly valuable from a culinary standpoint, having a backyard or balcony area that is mosquito-free in the summer is worth the price of the rosemary plant on its own.
5. The Reward of Watching it Grow
Taking home a cute little baby plant and observing its progress through the growing season is satisfying. All you really did was water it and place it in the sun, but it still feels like you contributed to the success of the plant.
And you did. Sure, all you did was water it, but you didn’t forget to water it. For someone new to gardening that’s a big deal, and it should be. You monitored and cared for it, watching grow into the fully-fledged bush that now exists. You can be proud of that accomplishment.
Not to mention, the next time summer pleasures such as ice-cold beer and savory steak divert your attention in the grocery store, you won’t be left facepalming yourself when you unpack your bounty and realize you forgot a key ingredient.
Herbs are just outside, ready for use at any time.
