For New Year’s Eve, start by choosing herbs to suit the dish. Picard, for example, pairs dill with salmon and tarragon with poultry or a cream sauce. An individual herb lets you control the flavour, while a mix makes preparation easier. A larger pack is best if you plan to use the same herb again. When assessing a product described as ‘premium’, check its ingredients, pack size and storage instructions rather than judging it by the packaging alone.
If you’re preparing salmon, poultry or a festive sauce, choosing a specific herb lets you pick the flavour you want. Picard, for example, pairs dill with salmon and tarragon with creamy poultry dishes.
Pre-chopped herbs can save you from chopping several bunches while getting the meal ready. Check the details for the product you choose: Darégal describes its frozen herbs as washed, chopped and ready to use.
If parsley is going into a stuffing, a sauce and a garnish, compare the amount you need with the pack sizes available. Picard and E.Leclerc offer products in 50 g and 250 g packs, among others. A larger pack is only worthwhile if you’ll use it.
Start with the dish and how much herb you’ll need, then check the ingredients and storage instructions for the product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pairing with the dish | The name of the herb; for a mix, check the ingredients and their proportions if these are listed. | I want the herb I choose to complement my salmon or poultry without the flavour of a mix taking over. This would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Preparation time | Look for ‘washed’ or ‘chopped’ on the label, and check the type of container if you’ll be taking out small amounts. | When I still have several dishes to finish before serving, I’d rather not wash and chop bunches of herbs. Around 25% of consumers might prioritise this time-saving benefit. |
| Amount you’ll use | Check the net weight and consider what you’ll cook after New Year’s Eve before choosing a small or large pack. | You’ll need very little for a single garnish, while several recipes may call for a larger amount. Using up the pack they choose would be the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and storage | Check the ingredients list, the origin if shown, and the storage instructions on the packaging. | I want to know what’s in my seasoning and be able to keep it in the freezer as instructed. This would be the main consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
A small pack may suit an occasional garnish, but its size doesn’t guarantee the flavour you want or that it’s right for your menu.
Choose the variety and quantity to suit the recipes you have planned, then consider whether you’ll use the rest after the festive season.
A mix determines the herbs and their proportions for you. Picard’s salad mix, for example, includes shallot, chives and parsley.
If you want a sauce to bring out the flavour of dill or tarragon, choose that herb on its own. Otherwise, check that the mix is suitable for your recipe.
A long journey or a shopping basket left out of the freezer can break the cold chain. Anses recommends keeping this interruption to a minimum and not refreezing food once it has thawed.
Pick up frozen herbs at the end of your shop, carry them in an insulated bag and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Picard says its chopped parsley is grown, processed and packed in France. This information applies to that parsley, not necessarily to the brand’s other herbs.
Check the origin and ingredients on the product page or packaging for the specific item you’re buying.
Picard’s range includes individual frozen herbs and mixes, with pack sizes including 50 g and 250 g.
Auchan’s range includes Darégal products such as frozen parsley seasoning, coriander and tarragon.
Carrefour’s Carrefour Extra frozen chives are sold in a 50 g tub.
E.Leclerc offers several frozen herbs under the Rustica brand, including parsley, chives and basil, in a range of pack sizes.
Dill is a good option if you’re after its distinctive flavour: Picard recommends pairing it with salmon. Choosing a product that contains only dill lets you adjust the amount separately from your other seasonings.
A mix is a good choice if its ingredients suit your recipe and you’d rather not measure out each herb separately. If you want one flavour to stand out, choose an individual herb instead. Picard’s salad mix includes chives, shallot, parsley, chervil, basil and thyme, among others.
Pick them up at the end of your shop and use an insulated bag for the journey, as recommended by Anses. Once you’re home, follow the temperature and storage period shown on the packaging. For the products mentioned, Picard and Carrefour specify storage at −18 °C and advise against refreezing once thawed.
For pre-packed frozen herbs, check the product name, ingredients list, net quantity, date and nutritional information. DGCCRF lists these among the labelling details required for pre-packed foods. If the origin is shown, make sure you check it for the specific product you’re buying.