Tips On How To Dry Herbs While Retaining Their Quality

Herbs are a great compliment to many recipes but buying dried herbs in the super market may mean you are buying a lower quality product that has been hanging around on the shelf for a long time. If you learn how to dry herbs from your own garden you will ensure that you have the best quality.

One of the easiest ways to dry herbs is to air dry them and this slow drying process which doesn't rob the herbs of their natural oils, works best with herbs that don't have a high moisture content, like oregano, bay, and thyme.

How To Air Dry Herbs

Cut herbs in mid morning after the dew has dried. Remove any leaves that show insect damage or disease and, if necessary, rinse under cool water and pat dry. Make small bundles of the herbs, about four or five stems together and tie with string or use a rubber band. Hang the herb bundles in a warm, well ventilated area to dry.

Some people prefer to place the bundled herbs in a paper bag as this helps to protect them from dust and the bag also catches any leaves that might fall off when they dry. Brown paper lunch bags work great for drying small bundles of herbs and are readily available. Simply cut or punch several holes in the paper bag. Place the herbs upside down in the bag and tie closed. Hang as normal. Check on the herbs in a couple of weeks. Leaves will be crispy and crumple between the fingers when dry.

How To Dry Herbs Using A Dehydrator

Herbs that contain a lot of moisture, like basil, mint or Chives, are best dried by using a food dehydrator, or freezing. If you're just learning how to dry herbs, you might want to look into getting a dehydrator. It's a fast and easy way and retains quality because the temperature and air circulation can be controlled. After rinsing place the herbs in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Drying times may vary due to moisture content, the thickness of the leaves and how much you trying to dry at one time. Herbs are dry when the leaves are crisp, and stems brittle.

How To Store Dry Herbs

After you have dried your herbs, you will need to store them properly to make sure they retain their freshness. You can use small plastic bags with zip seal tops or store in small jars. It is best to keep dried herbs away from light and heat.

Once you learn how to dry herbs, you’re just one step away from being the best culinary cook on the block.

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