How to Dry your Own Herbs

Last week was rainy with lots of periodic downpours including some thunder. This week we are back to bright, sunny days and I have been wearing my new sundresses. Sundresses are my favorite to wear during the hot days because they are cool, comfy and look nice. They are also easy to care for and often don’t need ironing. Today my work attire was a strapless black maxi dress from the Loft. I felt great working in it as well as got some sun on my shoulders while clipping herbs in our yard. And speaking of herbs it was time to start drying them before they flower. If you have not dried your own herbs, then you are missing out on a pleasant and satisfying hobby. Drying herbs is easy and today I will show you how to dry your own herbs for using in the kitchen.

There are several methods to drying herbs including the oven and microwave, but I prefer the old-fashioned way of air drying because I feel this preserves the flavor the best. You can air dry herbs a couple of ways. The first is to dry them on a flat surface, turning them daily to expose all sides to the air. The other way is to tie them in loose bundles and hang them to dry out. This method exposes all sides at once.

How to Dry your own Herbs

-Picking a dry day, clip the herbs you want. Generally, late morning or early afternoon after the dew has dried is a good time.

-If drying flat, then cover your surface with paper towels and spread herbs out. Let herbs dry for 2 weeks turning daily.

-If hang drying then pick an area to hang them such as a window, gather some twine and tie the herbs in loose bundles. Hang these bundles and allow to dry for 2 weeks or until sufficiently dry enough to crumble.

-Crumble dry leaves into a glass jar with a lid and seal. Store in a cool, dry area. Properly dried herbs last a long time; however, they do lose flavor if old, so I recommend using within the year.

Tips for Drying Herbs

-Herbs are best harvested in the Spring.

-Harvest herbs on a dry day after the morning dew has dried. You don’t want moisture on your herbs.

-Harvest herbs before the heat of the day when they lose essential oil.

-Don’t wash herbs before drying. The moisture may cause mold or mildew.

-Harvest new growth, not woody growth. Rosemary is a good example of this. Collect the tender new growth where the herbs are most pungent.

-Choose a dry area to dry your herbs. Wet rooms are not a good location to dry herbs.

-Make sure to harvest herbs before they have flower buds. When they begin to flower the nutrients and energy goes to the flowering portion. You want the new leafy growth with the most intense flavor.

Which Herbs can I dry?

Most edible herbs can be dried successfully including chives, oregano, mints, lemon balm, rosemary, parsley, basil, thyme, lavender, chamomile, lemon verbena and more.

Have a lovely week!

If you like herbs, specifically chamomile you can read more by clicking the link below!

Growing Chamomile in My Cottage Garden