First, store it like a bouquet. Trim the stems, put them in a glass of water, and cover the leaves loosely with a plastic bag in the fridge. It lasts two weeks that way. (I’ve tested it. It works. Trust me.)
How Much is a Bunch of Cilantro? - Practical Cooks
Second, buy the whole plant if you can. Some markets sell cilantro with roots attached—those roots are gold in Thai cooking. One plant can cost $2, but you use every part: leaves, stems, roots. That’s efficiency, baby.
Finally, if you see a bunch for $0.99, grab two. Freeze one in ice cubes with oil or water for future use. Future you will high-five current you. (Present me is high-fiving you right now through the screen.)
So, How Much Is One Bunch of Cilantro?
The answer is: it depends. It’s $1.49 at the store, but it’s priceless when you’re standing over a pot of steaming pho on a rainy day. It’s also a reminder that the dumbest arguments (like “you spent how much on herbs?!”) are never about the herbs. They’re about what we value: convenience, flavor, or a stubborn refusal to let a garnish rot in the fridge.
Next time you’re staring at that green bundle, ask yourself: am I buying a bunch of cilantro, or am I buying a promise? A promise that tonight’s dinner will be a little better, a little fresher, a little more alive. For a buck fifty, that’s a steal.
