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Herbs are an essential for those who like to cook and growing herbs is an enjoyable pastime for many gardeners. For those who garden and enjoy cooking (a natural combination of interests) the next step is to preserve your herbs for winter use. It is important that the herbs be properly preserved so that the flavor of the fresh plant is not greatly diminished by the process of preserving them. The most popular way to preserve herbs is to dry them. In addition to preserving them, one must remember to store the herbs properly to preserve the quality of the finished product.
Step 1:
Why dry herbs?
- Drying herbs eliminates the water content and retains the essential oils.
- Dried herbs are the most common form of preserved herbs used in cooking.
Step 2:
Select a method to dry herbs.
Herbs can be dried:
- in an the oven at its lowest heat setting with door cracked open
- in a plate warmer
- in an airing cupboard
- in the attic under the roof if it doesn't get too hot
- in a food dehydrator
- in a microwave
Step 3:
Important things to remember when drying herbs.
- There should be good ventilation and air circulation.
- They should not touch each other.
- If drying them with a heat source spread them in a single layer on a tray or frame. The temperature should be between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Turn them regularly during the drying process.
- Drying time varies from plant to plant depending on moisture.
- Roots should be dried using a heat source and should be dried at a temperature between 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be turned regularly.
- Seeds should never be dried using a heat source. They should be hung in a dark airy place. Almost ripe seed heads can be hung with a paper bag (plastic bags can cause them to sweat and mold) tied around them to catch the seeds as they fall. Seeds take up to two weeks to dry.
Step 4:
How to know your herbs are dry.
- Leaves are crisp and brittle and crumble readily in the hand without deteriorating into dust.
- Roots should be brittle and snap crisply. Any soft or spongy spots indicate that they need to dry longer.
Step 5:
Tips for drying in a microwave.
- The amount of time it takes for herbs to dry in the microwave varies depending on the microwave power and the condition of your plants. Experiment.
- Herbs with fine leaves can take less than a minute. Heavier leaves can take up to three minutes.
- To prevent over drying, place a small container of water in the microwave while drying.
Step 6:
Storing dried herbs.
- Loosely pack the herbs in a jar and screw on an airtight lid. Label and date the jar.
- Keep the cupboard dark as light destroys the flavor of herbs more quickly than anything else.
- Check the herbs several days after storage. If there is condensation in the bottle, the herbs are not completely dry and will spoil. Try drying them longer.
- Dried herbs have a shelf life of one year.
