This season, I’ll be drying basil since we can’t consume it in the quantities produced by two pots with 6-8 plants each. I want to share my tips on how to dry herbs.
How to Dry Herbs
It’s important to dry herbs correctly. Roots and bark can be dried in the sun, but herbs will lose all their essential oils and vitamins this way. Greenery should only be dried in the shade with good ventilation. Generally, tying herbs in large bundles is not recommended; however, smaller bundles of 3-5 stems of less succulent herbs like thyme, oregano, or lavender dry without issues. For more succulent greenery like basil, dill, parsley, sage, marjoram, mint, or lemon balm, it’s better to dry them on cheesecloth or porous paper.
How to dry herbs
I use two methods: For the first, I lay linen fabric on a drying rack and spread out the herb stems, turning them daily. After 5-7 days, they’re ready to go into jars. The second method takes more time, but for some plants like lemon balm and mint, I prefer it: I tie each stem to a drying rack rod with a string and place them on a shaded balcony or near a window. Before putting the herbs into jars, make sure they’re completely dry to avoid mold.
Dried herbs
An additional quick option is drying herbs in the microwave. I found a wealth of recommendations on this from forums dedicated to cannabis enthusiasts))). Tailor the drying time to your microwave – typically 2-3 minutes, and up to 5 minutes on low power. You can also dry herbs in short intervals (30 seconds at a time), letting them cool in between. Remove the stems and dry them separately. Even if the herbs feel slightly damp, let them cool, and they’ll become brittle. I haven’t tried this method yet, but I’ll test it when I have extra basil. There’s ongoing debate about how well essential oils are preserved with this method, but you’ll be able to judge for yourself when you taste the spice after drying.
Drying herbs in bunches
I don’t recommend drying herbs in the oven or using an iron. Store the dried herbs in airtight containers, either glass jars or food-safe containers. Herbs last longer when stored in glass.
My spice shelf
