If you are fortunate enough to have a home herb garden, you are aware of how using fresh can herbs add so much flavor to your cooking. But what if your herb garden produces more herbs than you can use? You definitely do not want to waste those delicious morsels, so the best way to preserve their delicious flavor is to dry your herbs.
This article will explain five tips about how to successfully dry herbs including tips on the best time for harvest, and when, where and how long to dry your herbs.
Harvest Your Herbs Just Before Drying
To help maintain the wonderful properties of your herbs, harvest immediately before you plan on drying them. The best time to harvest and dry herbs is when they are fully grown and have just started to flower. Before drying, make sure to remove any damaged leaves or stem.
Dry Herbs at Similar Rate
To make sure your herbs are all drying at about the same rate, harvest them in bunches which are about the same size. For drying, bunch about 8 – 10 stems together and fasten securely with string.
Dry Herbs by Hanging Upside Down
Once you have bunched your herbs together, you will need to hang them upside down to dry. Do not pack herb bunches tightly together. Leave a little room for air to circulate around the herbs.
Dry Herbs in a Dry, Dark Place
The best place to dry herbs is in a dark, dry location. If necessary, protect herbs from dust or wind by covering with a paper bag. The best temperature for drying herbs is 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Herbs Need 5 Days to Dry
In dark dry conditions; herbs usually take five days to dry, although in cooler weather, the process may take up to two weeks. When herbs are papery, they are dry and ready for storage. Remove leaves from stems, and store in airtight container away from sunlight.
Store dry herbs as leaves, but crush right before using. This will help the herbs to release their full properties. While fresh herbs are delicious, home grown, dried herbs are equally as wonderful and a simple way to have flavorful herbs at your fingertips all year round.
If you like to learn more about Secrets to Growing Herbs Indoors, click here => Indoor Herb Gardens
