Drying Herbs at Home

Whether you pick them up from a grocery shop or grow them at home, herbs such as oregano and sage can magically transform any bland meal into an extraordinary and exotic culinary delight. Besides that, herbs also have many medicinal properties and can help protect against various heart diseases, depression, anxiety and even cancer. However, not all herbs can stay fresh all throughout the year. There are certain herbs which are available in a specific season like dill and coriander. Also, for people who do not have a garden and yet love the taste of tender annual or perennial herbs in their food, they can try storing herbs in the kitchen. In addition to using herbs for cooking, which are generally dried, these herbs and flowers can be used in potpourri and for preparing herbal tea as well.

The best way to store herbs over long periods of time is by drying them at home. Not only are fresh dried herbs less expensive than their commercial variants, but they also tend to retain the flavor and color for a longer time. There are several methods of drying fresh herbs which include drying herbs in a microwave, oven, in a dehydrator or just air drying them out. So, for those wondering how to dry herbs at home here are some ways for drying basil, hydrangeas,lavenders, rosemary, peppers and roses in the comfort of your own home.

Air-Drying Herbs
Whether you are drying herbs for potpourri or for tea, you need to harvest them early in the morning from your herb garden. This is because herbs are considered to be in the best condition right before they flower. Using a sharp knife, cut the large stems from the plant and check for any damaged or diseased herbs. Bundle 5 to 8 stems together using a rubber band and place the herbs in a paper bag poked with holes for ventilation over the leaves by tying the ends with string. (Drying herbs in a paper bag keeps the herbs clean and dust free). Hang these bags of herbs upside down in a warm, dry and well-ventilated area for 1-4 weeks to dry.

Tray Drying
In order to tray dry your herbs you need drying racks made of old screens which are set on bricks blocks. Wash the screen and let them dry before placing plants on the screen. This method of drying herbs works best for short stems or single leaves. Store all trays in dark, dry, and warm places in stacks so that they consume less space and work equally well.

Oven Drying Herbs
You can use gas or electric ovens for drying herbs quickly. However, it is important to keep in mind that oven drying can only work with fleshy leaves such as mint and lemon balm. To dry herbs you need to preheat the oven to 180 degree Celsius and then place the leaves and stems on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels. You also need to leave the door of the oven open so that the moisture can escape. Oven drying herbs can take around three to four hours.

Microwave Drying Herbs
Microwave drying of herbs is a simple and easy process. For drying herbs in a microwave you need to lay out two sheets of absorbent kitchen roll and then put a layer of herbs down. Now to this layer you need to add another layer of paper towel. Dry the herbs at high for 1 minute and then stir the herbs around every 30 minutes to check the dryness. Continue this process for around 3 minutes.

Once the herbs are dried they need to be preserved in air tight containers. Use zipped bags and place the dry herbs in small canning jars. Label and date your containers and place them in a cool dry place away from sunlight. For expending the flavor of the dried herbs stored as a whole, crush them while using. You can use dried herbs within a year. However, if they show even the slightest sign of mold it is best to discard them. In addition to dry herbs you can also use these methods for drying pepper and certain fruits. Drying fruits such as tomatoes and figs are a great way to enjoy their nutritional value all year round. You can obtain dried apples and dry tomatoes using the dehydrator or the oven and storing them for later use.