How To Dry Herbs
Herbs are a great compliment to many recipes but buying dried herbs in the super market may mean you are buying a lower quality product that has been hanging around on the shelf for a long time. If you learn how to dry herbs from your own garden you will ensure that you have the best quality.
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.
How to Air 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.
To use paper bags in drying herbs is a good method. The paper may be punched firstly. Put the small bundles of herbs into the paper bags and hang them. A couple of weeks later, you can check your herbs and see that they are dried completely.
Drying Herbs with 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.
Manuel Wiggins includes information and resources on his website about Herbs , and you can find more about Herb Gardens
