Chives are a popular herb used to add flavor to many savory dishes. Their grassy, onion-like taste makes them a versatile ingredient. But if you’ve never bought chives before, you may not know where to look for them in the grocery store. Chives can be found in a few different sections of most supermarkets. Here is a guide to locating both fresh and dried chives during your next shopping trip.
Check the Produce Section
The first spot to look for fresh chives is in the produce department. This is where you will typically find fresh herbs like cilantro basil and parsley. Look for chives near these other herbs, usually in the refrigerated section. The most common way to buy fresh chives is in a small plastic clamshell container. These hold about 1-2 ounces of chives. Sometimes you may also find small bunches of chives wrapped in plastic. Examine the chives and make sure they look fresh, with no wilting or slimy spots.
In addition to the packaged chives, also check the fresh herb bunches that stores often sell loose. The herb section may have bunches of mixed herbs including chives. You can buy a whole mixed bunch or ask for a small amount of just the chives to be weighed and bagged separately. Having an employee freshly cut chives ensures you get the freshest herbs.
Check Pre-Cut and Prepped Vegetables
Many grocery stores now sell packages of pre-cut and prepared fruits and vegetables for convenience. Bags of cleaned and chopped onions or salad mixes may contain chives. Read labels carefully to see if chives are listed as an ingredient. This can be a quick way to buy chopped chives without doing the work yourself. Just be aware that pre-cut veggies tend to be more expensive than buying whole produce.
Look in the Fresh Herb Aisle
If you don’t see chives with the other fresh produce, next walk down the herb and spice aisle. This is where fresh herbs are available at some markets, often packaged in clamshells or bags. You may find organic chives or special herb blends alongside standalone parsley, cilantro, dill, and other herbs. The herbs in this aisle are still fresh but may not be as recently picked as the bunches sold loose in produce.
Check the Dried Herb and Spice Section
Dried chives are handy to have on hand for cooking. Check your store’s spice aisle for dried chives sold in jars or plastic bags. As with other dried herbs, it’s best to buy dried chives in smaller quantities, as they lose potency over time. Try to use dried chives within 6 months to a year for optimal flavor. When purchasing, look for vibrant green color without any browning. Dried chives work well sprinkled on soups, salads, potatoes, and more.
Look for Chive Blossoms When in Season
In late spring and early summer, keep an eye out for chive blossoms at farmer’s markets and specialty grocers. The pretty, edible purple flowers have a mild onion flavor that makes them a gourmet ingredient. Add them to salads, omelets, and appetizers. Chive blossoms are harvested at their peak and have a short season, so grab them when you see them available fresh.
Can’t Find Chives? Here are Some Substitutes
If you strike out finding fresh or dried chives, don’t worry. You can substitute green onions, also called scallions. While not exactly the same, green onions offer a similar mild bite. Chopped leeks, shallots, or garlic greens also work in a pinch. And for dried chives, onion powder or garlic powder can often stand in during cooking. With so many options, you can still add that tangy flavor chives provide to your next meal.
So next time a recipe calls for chives, know where to start searching at the grocery store. Check the refrigerated produce section, fresh herb aisle, spice racks, and pre-cut vegetables. With this guide, you’ll locate fresh and dried chives so you can enjoy their flavor in your cooking.
Nutrition FactsServing size1 tbsp (3 g)Amount per servingCalories0.9% Daily Value *
Products that are dairy-free don’t have milk, butter, cheese, sour cream, yogurt, whey, casein, ghee, or lactose in them.
Rip Esselstyn started the Engine 2 Plant-Strong Diet. He is a best-selling author and Whole Foods Market Healthy Eating Partner who used to be a world-class professional triathlete and Texas firefighter. The Engine 2 way of life is based on eating whole, healthy plant-based foods and staying away from all animal products, processed foods, and refined foods.
Foods that are good for you on a plant-strong diet include whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains (whole and intact), legumes, nuts, seeds, and simple drinks like water or tea. The plan is naturally low in sodium, low in saturated fat, and has no trans fats.
Products marked “gluten-free” are either packaged in a way that follows FDA rules or are single-ingredient foods that don’t contain any gluten ingredients and don’t say that they were made in a facility that also processes gluten ingredients. Packaged 365 Everyday Value products that are labeled gluten-free are third-party certified.
There isn’t a single, regulated, or agreed upon definition of paleo when it comes to diets, but we use the term “paleo-friendly” to refer to foods that are low in fat and high in protein, like fruits and vegetables (but not too many starchy ones), nuts, and seeds. Paleo-friendly products typically do not include grains, legumes, refined sugar, certain oils, dairy and non-paleo additives.
Sugar-conscious foods do not contain added sugars and have less than 4g of sugar per serving.
Vegan foods are those without animal products, including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, eggs and honey.
Vegetarian foods are those that exclude meat, poultry and seafood. Dairy and eggs can be included.
The Whole Foods Diet is a food-based, plant-based plan that was made by John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, and Dr. Alona Pulde and Dr. Matthew Lederman. The diets follows two simple guiding principles: 1. Choose real foods over highly processed foods and 2. Eat mostly plant foods (90 to 100% of your daily calories). Some of the foods that are important to their diets are oatmeal, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
There isn’t a single, regulated definition of the keto diet, but when we talk about foods that are “keto-friendly,” we usually mean meat and seafood that doesn’t have any added sugar, fats or cooking oils, full-fat dairy products that don’t have any added sugars, and vegetables and fruits that are low in starch, like kale, spinach, mushrooms, green beans, and green bell peppers. Some fruits, like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, can also be eaten in small amounts.
Some foods that aren’t keto-friendly are grain-based foods like bread, pasta, rice, crackers, and cookies; starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn, and yams; beans and legumes (including peanuts); fruit juice; dried fruit; and some higher-carb fruits like oranges, grapes, mangoes, pineapples, and bananas.
Organic products have been certified by accredited Organic-certifying agencies.
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How to Harvest & Store Chives for Endless Supply
FAQ
What aisle are chives in?
What do chives look like in the grocery store?
Where are chives found?
Are chives and onion chives the same?
Where can I purchase chives?
Chives are a variety of garlic and onion that can be easily purchased at your local grocery store. They have a characteristic bright green color with long and hollow stems. Chives have been used in Europe and Asia for thousands of years and are cheap and easy to use.
Where do chives originate?
Chives are believed to have originated in China, Siberia, or Greece and are generally native to Europe. Today, they are widely available in grocery stores and can be found in many parts of the world. Chives are used by top chefs as delicacies or attractive garnishes, while others use them as herbs for therapeutic purposes.
Is chives A good place to eat?
Chives is a casual atmosphere with a stellar reputation for food quality, presentation, and value. By offering delectable specialty items in all price ranges every day, Chives always offers a fresh experience. Chives School House is Ready for Your Next Event!
Is the Chives Restaurant menu current?
The Chives Restaurant menu items and prices may have been modified since the last website update. You are free to download the current Chives Restaurant menu files.
What are chives and what are they used for?
Chives are an herb related to onions and garlic. It’s got green stems and a mild flavor. It’s typically used fresh in foods like soups, dips, dressings, and as a garnish. You’ll also find chives in egg and potato-based dishes. Chives are a part of the allium family, which means they’re related to leeks, scallions, onions, and garlic.
How can I contact Chives Cafe?
To contact Chives Cafe, please CALL 698-3090. Chives Cafe is now officially open and ready to serve you! For Special Events, Office Functions & Holiday Occasions, contact Chives Cafe using this number. Chives Cafe is making an huge effort to decrease its environmental impact this year.