Parsley
Unearthed
As pioneers of IQF herbs, SupHerb Farms is taking you on an in-depth exploration of parsley—an herb cherished worldwide for its freshness, versatility, and visual appeal. From its origins and nutritional benefits to agricultural insights, plant anatomy, and cultivation methods, we cover every angle. But our deep dive doesn’t stop there. Uncover consumer preferences, menu trends, and culinary applications to see how parsley plays a vital role across cuisines. Whether you’re a food scientist, procurement professional, research chef, or food marketer in foodservice or food manufacturing, Parsley Unearthed provides the knowledge and inspiration to fully utilize this essential herb.
Get all this information in a handy PDF guide!
Parsley Facts
The Romans used parsley for ornamental purposes, while the Greeks used it for funeral wreaths.
Parsley is native to the Mediterranean region with the first cultivation of it dating back to 2,000 years.
Parsley’s high chlorophyll content is believed to freshen breath.
Scientific Name
Petroselinum crispum
FLAVOR
Fresh, clean, and slightly bitter taste with a hint of pepper, robust in “green notes”-referred to as cis-3-hexenol by flavor chemists.
NATIVE ORIGIN
Mediterranean
DESCRIPTION
Flat parsley is a biennial plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae) that’s grown for its dark green leaves.
NUTRIENTS
Flat leaf parsley is high in iron and folate, and vitamins A, C, and E. It also has a high chlorophyll content.1
1. USDA, FoodData Central, Pasley, Fresh, April 2018.
Parsley in the Field
Herb Brief
Parsley, a biennial herb native to the central and eastern Mediterranean, belongs to the Apiaceae family. The two most common varieties are Italian flat-leaf and French curly-leaf parsley. Widely used in cooking across America, Europe and the Middle East. Flat parsley’s robust flavor is often preferred by chefs over curly parsley. Beyond being used for flavor and as a garnish, parsley is packed with nutrients.
IQF vs. Fresh Parsley
IQF = Individually Quick Frozen
FLAVOR & COLOR
SHELF LIFE
IQF Parsley has a significantly longer shelf life, reducing waste.
CONVENIENCE
SupHerb Farms’ IQF Parsley is free-flowing and comes fully prepped, saving time and labor. Fresh parsley requires washing, trimming and chopping.
CONSISTENCY
IQF Parsley provides consistent quality year-round, while fresh parsley varies in availability and quality.
SupHerb Farms Parsley Cultivation
Soil
Parsley prefers well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral ph (6.0 to 7.0). Parsley thrives in the loamy soil of California’s Central Valley, which helps retain moisture while promoting healthy root growth.
Climate
Parsley thrives in the San Joaquin Valley’s Mediterranean-like climate, where mild winters and warm summers provide ideal growing conditions.
Water
Parsley requires consistent, moderate watering throughout its growing and harvesting seasons, with sprinklers and drip irrigation often used for efficiency. The plant needs more irrigation during the hottest parts of California summers.
Parsley Intel
U.S. Consumer Data On Parsley
OPPORTUNITY 1
With 20 percent of health-focused and flexitarian consumers loving parsley, operators can enhance health-driven menu items with parsley-forward sauces like chimichurri or gremolata.
Highlighting parsley’s nutritional benefits can attract diners seeking fresh, nutritious offerings.
OPPORTUNITY 2
Over half of Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Boomers love or like parsley. Leverage this broad appeal by incorporating parsley into diverse, flavorful dishes like parsley-infused dressings, sauces, or condiments, offering something familiar yet exciting for customers across age groups.
Datassential 2024
Parsley on the Menu
U.S. Restaurant Data On Parsley
MENU TYPE
Ethnic
Non-Ethnic
MENU PENETRATION
2024
2028 (PROJECTED AVERAGE)
Menu Adoption Cycle
PARSLEY-FORWARD CONDIMENTS, DRESSINGS & SAUCES
OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY
Herb-based sauces made with parsley, like zhoug (s’chug), gremolata, and Italian salsa verde are emerging trends on fine-dining menus, offering opportunities for innovation. For a familiar yet exciting option, chimichurri bridges comfort and creativity.
Grilled Chicken Panini with Burrata, Tomato & Creamy Milanese Gremolata Sauce
Datassential 2024
Parsley in Application
Cuisines That Historically Utilize Parsley
MEDITERRANEAN
In Mediterranean cuisines, parsley is commonly used both as a fresh garnish and a key ingredient in sauces, salads, and marinades, adding bright, herbaceous flavor to dishes.
MIDDLE EAST
Middle Eastern cooking uses parsley in chermoula (which is also the base of green tahini sauce) and zhoug (s’chug), a spicy Middle Eastern condiment.
LATIN AMERICA
Parsley is an essential flavor in Latin American cuisine with European influence (like Argentina) and is often added to sauces like chimichurri, meat dishes and as a classic garnish.
Inspiring Dishes with Modern Parsley
Charred Cauliflower Steak with S’chug and Tangerine
Thick-cut cauliflower steak is seasoned, grilled, and brushed with citrus-s’chug sauce made from Jalapeno Pesto (S’chug), tangerine, and olive oil.
Chimichurri Steak & Egg Breakfast Burrito
Grilled steak slices and scrambled eggs are topped with cheese, beans, and Chimichurri SRP then wrapped in a tortilla and seared.
Osso Buco Sliders with Creamy Gremolata Aioli
Top mini rustic buns with 1-1/2 oz. veal patties and caramelized red onions. Add a dollop of a gremolata aioli made with mayo, Chimichurri SRP and lemon zest.
Rooted in Care
SEEDLING TO SAUCE, TO YOU
Looking for flavorful culinary ingredients made using SupHerb Farms parsley? Right this way… 
Spotlight Parsley Ingredients*
Signature Parsley Products
Farm fresh flavor made easy. Our specialty parsley ingredients streamline prep and add consistency.
Culinary Products Made with SupHerb Farms Parsley
Culinary Blends
Flavorful and fully-prepped. Culinary Blends are your secret weapon for speedy prep.
Culinary Pastes
Bold and globally inspired. With dozens of ethnic flavors to choose from, Culinary Pastes
are the perfect products to help you seamlessly leverage global flavor trends.
VERSATILE
LABOR-SAVING
CHEF-CRAFTED
ON-TREND FLAVORS
CONSISTENT QUALITY
Culinary Sauces
Convenient and ready to use. Culinary Sauces are available in 1-lb. pouches that easily fit in squeeze bottles!
