How to Dry Herbs

That is the time of yr I discover myself drying herbs. Partially, it is as a result of I have a tendency to come back throughout particular, uncommon varietals within the spring and late into summer season – caraway thyme, pineapple sage, recent coriander. Some will seem for per week or two, then aren’t seen once more for one more yr. Different instances, it’s the herb flowers that get me – I like to make use of them all year long, and the one technique to assure a provide is to dry them. It could not be less complicated, so I believed I might share my methodology for these of you who could have missed it the final time I wrote about it.

Group Herbs into Small Bunches

I are inclined to group any herbs I’ll dry into small bunches. Leaves are stripped from the underside few inches of every stem, and a little bit of twine secures every bundle. A push pin or strip of washi tape is often sufficient to safe the herbs anyplace excessive and dry – partitions, bookcases, fire mantles, cupboard knobs, and the like are all truthful recreation round right here.

A Professional-tip

Depart a number of inches of additional string once you tie the herbs to dry them. The stems will grow to be dehydrated, and lose a little bit of quantity. The additional string will will let you re-tie the herbs extra snuggly if wanted with out beginning over. Kelly left a remark under that caught my consideration, “I take advantage of rubber bands (recycled from meals like asparagus or carrots that come banded collectively) as a substitute of twine. That was the rubber band contracts because the herbs dry and that i don’t have to regulate the twine or clear herbs off the ground!” I have not examined it but, nevertheless it seems like a winner.

To dry chive flowers, you will wish to trim them from their stems and place on a flat floor for per week or so. Toss each couple of days so that each one sides are uncovered to air.

The right way to Retailer Dried Herbs

Make certain your herbs are fully dried earlier than transferring them to a sealed container. Any moisture can lead to mildew. Retailer in a cool darkish place. Additionally, after a number of days of drying, your herb bundles will contract a bit from dehydration. Per the tip above, chances are you’ll must tighten the twine a bit.

Let me know when you have favourite herbs I ought to attempt to search out. I like the offbeat, barely surprising thymes, sages, and lavenders. I am certain there there are others I ought to learn about as effectively!