If your fridge has enough space and is set to the right temperature, you don't automatically need to buy a new one to store fresh herbs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping herbs wrapped in something damp at the bottom of the fridge, and setting the fridge to 4 °C. If you do replace your appliance, focus on the available space, how much freezer capacity you need and energy consumption. A freshness drawer doesn't guarantee that herbs will keep for a certain length of time.
You usually use herbs from the market within a few days and want an easy-to-reach spot for wrapped bunches. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing them at the bottom of the fridge, wrapped in damp kitchen roll or a damp tea towel.
You sometimes buy more herbs than you need straight away and want to store portions for later. In that case, it matters whether you have a freezer compartment or a separate freezer section.
You’re replacing a fridge and have limited space. So check the external dimensions and the layout of the salad drawer, not just the total capacity in litres.
Choose this if: there’s room for your herbs and you can check the temperature.
Trade-off: a new freshness feature isn’t necessarily an improvement if your current fridge already does the job.
Choose this if: you have limited space, mostly use herbs fresh and don’t need freezer space.
Trade-off: you won’t be able to freeze portions of herbs in the appliance.
Choose this if: you have a small kitchen and want to freeze portions from time to time.
Trade-off: the freezer compartment takes up space that could otherwise be used for refrigeration; compare the stated capacity of each section.
Choose this if: you store plenty of everyday groceries as well as herbs, or want more freezer space.
Trade-off: check that the external dimensions will fit. A dedicated vegetable zone doesn’t prove that every herb will keep for longer.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a fridge temperature of 4 °C. The percentages below show how many consumers prioritise each consideration.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who should give this extra thought? |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping herbs fresh | Check whether wrapped bunches will fit in the salad drawer and whether you can check the temperature. | If I’m using herbs fresh over the next few days, I want to keep them wrapped in something damp somewhere easy to reach. Around 33% of consumers prioritise keeping food fresh. |
| Freezing portions | Check whether there’s freezer space, how much capacity is stated and whether the freezer can be set to at least −18 °C, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. | If I’m not using all the herbs straight away, I want to freeze portions and take them out later. Around 27% of consumers prioritise freezer space. |
| Size and layout | Measure the available space and check the model’s external dimensions, door opening and drawer layout. | If my kitchen has limited space, the appliance needs to fit and the drawer needs to be easy to reach. Around 20% of consumers prioritise a suitable size and layout. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the energy label and stated annual consumption in kWh for the exact models, as well as their fridge and freezer capacity. | If I’m replacing a fridge anyway, I want to take annual energy consumption into account when comparing models that fit my space. Around 20% of consumers prioritise energy consumption. |
Features with names such as VitaFresh, BioFresh or HarvestFresh are manufacturer descriptions that vary by model. On their own, they don’t prove that every herb will keep for a specific length of time.
Choose a practical layout and follow the storage advice for the herbs you buy. Compare the features of the exact model you’re considering.
The stated capacity isn’t the same as the space you can use in practice. A freezer compartment also reduces the space available for refrigeration.
Check the fridge and freezer capacity separately, and make sure the drawer can accommodate your packaging.
A second appliance uses electricity when it’s switched on; for herbs, a suitable fridge you already own may be enough.
First, check the temperature and available space in your current fridge. If you’re replacing it, compare the stated annual consumption of models that suit your space requirements.
An extra appliance that’s switched on will continuously use more electricity.
The KK600 and KV600 are table-top models with a salad drawer, suited to kitchens where a compact appliance is a good fit.
The freestanding KSV33VLEP is a fridge without a freezer compartment, for those who value fridge space and drawer layout.
The RB34C605CB1/EF is a larger fridge-freezer for households that store everyday groceries and frozen food as well as herbs.
According to Liebherr, the RBbsb 525i Prime has separate BioFresh zones, making it an option if you’re looking for a larger fridge with a focus on layout.
The B5RCNE366HG is a freestanding fridge-freezer for those looking for a separate freezer section.
This selection ranges from a compact, separate cooling space and an integrated fridge to larger fridge-freezers and table-top models with a freezer compartment. For each model, check the space available, the layout you want and whether the product details suit how you’ll use it.
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A compact, separate cooling space could work if you want to keep a small quantity chilled; check that the interior will fit your herb packaging.
The product name lists a capacity of 6 litres, space for 8 cans and 220–240 V AC/DC power.
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An integrated fridge could work if your kitchen has a suitable housing unit; check the required niche dimensions before choosing.
The product name lists a 122 cm integrated model.
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A larger fridge-freezer could work if you need a separate freezer section as well as fridge space.
The product name lists a capacity of 524 litres, No Frost and an E energy rating. The stated external dimensions are 91,1 × 69,3 × 183 cm; allow for the required ventilation and access space too.
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A table-top model with a freezer compartment could work if you’re looking for a compact appliance and want to freeze portions as well as keep food chilled.
The product name lists a capacity of 109 litres and a C energy rating. Check the dimensions and the freezer compartment layout to make sure they suit your kitchen and how you’ll use it.
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A table-top model with a freezer compartment could work if you have limited space and want to combine a small freezer section with fridge space.
The product name lists a capacity of 107 litres and a C energy rating. Check the external dimensions and how much space is available in each section.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing fresh herbs at the bottom of the fridge, wrapped in damp kitchen roll or a damp tea towel. If they’re in a sealed pack, follow the storage advice on the packaging. Wash herbs under running water, especially if you’re eating them raw.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends 4 °C. Place a fridge thermometer in the middle of the bottom shelf, leave it there for half a day or overnight, then adjust the fridge if needed. The set temperature isn’t the same as a measured temperature.
Yes, freezing is one way to store chopped herbs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises setting the freezer to at least −18 °C; check that your appliance’s freezer compartment is suitable.
Compare the energy label and stated annual consumption in kWh for the exact models. The European Commission describes EPREL as a database of energy and performance information for models covered by EU energy labelling; it doesn’t measure your electricity consumption at home.
According to the Dutch government, if you’ve bought a faulty product, you should first contact the seller to find a solution, such as a free repair or replacement. The right solution depends on the circumstances.
