how do I dry herbs from my garden?
Posted by pano | Under Herb Garden Sunday Aug 22, 2010I have been growing things like parsley and mint in my garden – is there a way to dry them for use in the winter?
I have been growing things like parsley and mint in my garden – is there a way to dry them for use in the winter?
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Bundle them loosely, and hang upside down.
If you have a gas range, put the in the oven on a cookie sheet in a single layer. The pilot light will dry them.
Use a dehydrator. $5.00 at a Salvation Army or other thrift store.
Use the microwave. Put a single layer on a double paper towel and set for 15 SECONDS. Check. If not dry, repeat until they are dry.
Another easy way is to wash and pat your herb dry, remove the big stems. Place on baking trays with wire cooling racks in and put your herbs on there in a single layer. Stick in the oven and turn the light on. The light bulb makes just enough heat that it will dry herbs in a few days. Most dehydrators are powered with a small incandescent light bulb.
of course there is a way ,two simple ways, first way ,tie them in small bunches by there stems and hang them in the kitchen window they look good and smell good too. second way,put them in a small brown paper bag (loosely) then set aside till dry.
http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetablepatch/a/DryingHerbs.htm
Hi Dior,
Here’s how to dry herbs.
Herbs are at their peak flavor just before flowering, so this is a good time to harvest them for drying and storage. Wash and inspect the leaves well. You can dry them in the oven or in the microwave. They can also be air-dried the traditional way. Your herbs can be frozen, too. Dried herbs should be stored in glass, ceramic or plastic containers, but not paper or cardboard.
The traditional way to dry herbs is to tie the stalks tight in bunches and hang them upside down in a dark, warm, clean area. After a week or two, when the leaves feel dry and crumbly, store the leaves in a clean airtight jar.
Another method for drying herbs is to spread the leaves in a layer on a cheesecloth screen in a dark room to dry.
Herbs with a high moisture content, like mint and basil, can turn moldy when air-dried, and are best dried in the oven.
To dry herbs in the oven, place the leaves in a layer on a cookie sheet. Put them in the oven with the door open for about 2 to 4 hours at 180 degrees. When they feel crumbly, store them in a clean, airtight jar.
Microwave ovens can be used to dry the leaves quickly. Place the clean leaves on a paper plate or paper towel in the microwave oven for 1 to 3 minutes, mixing them every 30 seconds.
For the next few days, check the jars of dried herbs for any sign of moisture. If you see any moisture in the jars, remove the herbs and repeat the drying process. Herbs will become moldy in closed jars if they are not completely dry.
I hope you have a very happy day.
My source has lots of ideas for herbs.