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Drying Herbs

By: Manuel Wiggins How to Dry Herbs and Retain Their Quality

Getting herbs from supermarket are not advised, since they have stored there for long time. It is advised to cultivate them in your garden and drying them personally. In this case, you will obtain the highest quality of herbs.

There are many methods of drying herbs. One of them is to dry them in air. This way is good since it preserves the necessary elements of the herbs, such as natural oils. It is valid for some herbs that are free of high moisture content, such as oregano, thyme, and bay.

Airing Dry Herbs

Herbs can be cut in the mid morning when the dew has dried. Leaves can be removed if shows insect damage or disease. It may be rinsed under cool water along with. Small bundles can be made of herbs, and tied with a rubber band. To do the final step, hanging the herb bundles in a warm place is favored.

There are many other ways of drying herbs. It may use paper bags. To do that, small bundles will be placed upside down in the bag and tied well. It must remember to punch some holes in the bag to permit air entering. The bag, then, may be hanged as usual. Two weeks, later, the bag can be opened and herbs may be taken as well.

How to Dry Herbs Using a Dehydrator

If a food dehydrator or freezing are used, drying of herbs including more moisture will be best. A dehydrator is a best way of drying. It is quicker and easiest way that maintains the herbs' high quality and control of air circulating and temperature as well. Drying times are varied according to moisture contents. Also leaves' thickness and quantities of drying per a time are reasons of different times of drying. As soon as the leaves are crisp, and stems brittle herbs can be dried.

How to Store Dry Herbs

Store herbs after having dried, is important in order to maintain their freshness. There are many methods to store herbs, such as small plastic bags or jars. It must avoid light and heat. As soon as learning the ways of drying herbs, it will be considered as the first step towards being skillful cookers.