Here’s the secret that cookbooks hide from you: the stems are edible and actually pack more flavor than the leaves. It’s science. But you wouldn’t know it from watching influencers pick off every single leaf like they’re defusing a bomb. If you’re making soup, salsa, or a curry, chop the stems right in. They’re tender, crunchy, and won’t turn into a wilted mess in your dish. Save the leaf-only drama for Instagram.
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That said, if you’re making a delicate garnish—like a beautiful, sad piece of seared salmon—then yes, strip the leaves. But for the love of guacamole, don’t throw the stems away. Chop them up and toss them into your next marinade. Waste not, want not, and you want your food to taste like a million bucks.