How to dry homegrown herbs?
Posted by pano | Under Herb Garden Thursday Jul 29, 2010I’m growing mint and lemon balm in my garden and it’s about ready to harvest some. How can I dry it for tea and such with no special equipment?
I’m growing mint and lemon balm in my garden and it’s about ready to harvest some. How can I dry it for tea and such with no special equipment?
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Traditionally, herbs were tied in small bunches- 10 or 12 stems, and hung upside down in the rafters to dry.
These days, consider small paper or muslin bags, with the stems poking out the opening, gently close, and hang in the shade, indoors or out.
Light will bleach the leaves, and heat will remove the oils, part of why you want the herbs to begin with.
The idea is to allow air circulation, and not let things get moldy. You also want to keep dust and insects to a minimum, hence the bags or covering.
I sew small fabric pouches with a drawstring form scrap cotton, and muslin for drying my herbs. When dry, store in a clean dry jar, out of direct sunlight.
i think just leave it out in the sun for a few weeks
that should do it, make sure there is sun almost all day
On cookie sheets in the oven. Don’t let them get too warm or the aromatics will get cooked out.
In a brown paper bag . Preferably in a cool dry place so they don’t lose any vitamin or flavor .
All neat answers, but most of the time you can lay them out on a plate if your house is air-conditioned, because the unit with dehumidify your house, so moisture will be drawn out.