To get the true flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, you'll use lots of herbs. However, herbs are delicate, so you want to make sure you store them properly to retain their best taste and their nutrient value.
Use these tips for storage:
Fresh herbs: Immediately use them. Just like fruits and vegetables, the longer fresh herbs sit around, the more nutrients they lose. Store them in perforated bags in your refrigerator crisper for up to four days.
Dried herbs and spices: Use them within a year of purchase. Keep them in airtight containers away from heat and light. You may want to record your date of purchase on the label; forgetting how long that stack of seasonings has been in your cupboard is really easy.
One way to ensure that herbs and seasonings don’t sit too long on the shelf is to use them generously in your cooking. If you’re running out of herbs every six months or so, you’re on the right track! That’s a good problem to have.
You may also consider keeping a raised garden for fresh herbs if you will be using them often. Fresh herbs are expensive at the grocery store, and they’re relatively easy to grow, even in a city garden on your back porch.