Methods 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 return throughout particular, uncommon varietals within the spring and late into summer time – caraway thyme, pineapple sage, recent coriander. Some will seem for every 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 strategy to assure a provide is to dry them. It could not be easier, so I believed I might share my methodology for these of you who might have missed it the final time I wrote about it.

Group Herbs into Small Bunches

I are likely 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 honest sport 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 turn out to be dehydrated, and lose a little bit of quantity. The additional string will permit you to re-tie the herbs extra snuggly if wanted with out beginning over. Kelly left a remark beneath that caught my consideration, “I take advantage of rubber bands (recycled from meals like asparagus or carrots that come banded collectively) as an alternative 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 never examined it but, nevertheless it seems like a winner.

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

Methods to Retailer Dried Herbs

Be certain your herbs are utterly dried earlier than transferring them to a sealed container. Any moisture may end up in 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 have to tighten the twine a bit.

Let me know in case you have favourite herbs I ought to attempt to search out. I really like the offbeat, barely sudden thymes, sages, and lavenders. I am positive there there are others I ought to find out about as properly!