How to Dry Herbs
Choose herbs for drying., Harvest herbs for drying just before their flowers open., Prepare for drying as soon as you've harvested the herbs., Clean the herbs if needed.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Choose herbs for drying.
Some herbs are easier to dry than others owing to their stronger leaves and oils.
However, almost all herbs can be dried in one or another.
Trial and experiment is the best way to find out which herbs dry best for you, with the expectation that some herbs will shrivel up and look like a brown mess when dried, while others will retain color and texture well.
Strong leaved herbs tend to be the easiest herbs to dry.
These include bay leaves, rosemary, thyme and sage.
A dried bay or rosemary leaf will usually retain its color and shape without any difficulty.
Tender broad leaved varieties can be a bit trickier, as they are easily affected by moisture and can quickly turn moldy if not dried properly.
The types of herbs in question include basil, parsley, mint, tarragon and lemon balm.
These need to be dried quickly to prevent molding. -
Step 2: Harvest herbs for drying just before their flowers open.
There will be plenty of buds to signify that flowering is about to occur.
As for the time of day, generally it is best to harvest herbs after the dew has evaporated but before the sun has had a chance to evaporate the volatile oils in the herbs.
This is usually early morning, give or take a bit for the specifics of your location.
Although generalist advice is to harvest herbs before the flowers open, it pays to experiment.
Sometimes it's better to harvest after.
It all depends on which form will allow the herbs to hold their shape and flavor best.
And if you actually want flowers, then it makes sense to wait until the herb flowers first. , The herbs will preserve best if they're dealt with immediately; allowing them to wilt or sit around and gather moisture or dust will spoil their flavor, color and appearance. , Some herbs may need rinsing first, and a pick over to remove debris such as dried grass or weeds.
Herbs can be gently rinsed under cool water, and given a minimal shake to remove excess moisture.
Discard leaves with blemishes, bruising or imperfections. -
Step 3: Prepare for drying as soon as you've harvested the herbs.
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Step 4: Clean the herbs if needed.
Detailed Guide
Some herbs are easier to dry than others owing to their stronger leaves and oils.
However, almost all herbs can be dried in one or another.
Trial and experiment is the best way to find out which herbs dry best for you, with the expectation that some herbs will shrivel up and look like a brown mess when dried, while others will retain color and texture well.
Strong leaved herbs tend to be the easiest herbs to dry.
These include bay leaves, rosemary, thyme and sage.
A dried bay or rosemary leaf will usually retain its color and shape without any difficulty.
Tender broad leaved varieties can be a bit trickier, as they are easily affected by moisture and can quickly turn moldy if not dried properly.
The types of herbs in question include basil, parsley, mint, tarragon and lemon balm.
These need to be dried quickly to prevent molding.
There will be plenty of buds to signify that flowering is about to occur.
As for the time of day, generally it is best to harvest herbs after the dew has evaporated but before the sun has had a chance to evaporate the volatile oils in the herbs.
This is usually early morning, give or take a bit for the specifics of your location.
Although generalist advice is to harvest herbs before the flowers open, it pays to experiment.
Sometimes it's better to harvest after.
It all depends on which form will allow the herbs to hold their shape and flavor best.
And if you actually want flowers, then it makes sense to wait until the herb flowers first. , The herbs will preserve best if they're dealt with immediately; allowing them to wilt or sit around and gather moisture or dust will spoil their flavor, color and appearance. , Some herbs may need rinsing first, and a pick over to remove debris such as dried grass or weeds.
Herbs can be gently rinsed under cool water, and given a minimal shake to remove excess moisture.
Discard leaves with blemishes, bruising or imperfections.
About the Author
Carolyn Kennedy
Creates helpful guides on pet care to inspire and educate readers.
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