Hi everyone!
Hope you're having an awesome summer! Between sprucing up Vita's gardens and enjoying refreshing drinks with those cool Edible Flower Ice Cubes, it's been quite the season.
As summer is winding down, I’m certain we all have more produce from the garden than we know what to do with, right? Don’t let it go to waste! You can still make the most of all those herbs you planted - with a few simple steps, you can dry and preserve them to enjoy their fresh flavors all winter long.
Ready to get started?
1. Pick and Clean Your Herbs: Start by picking your herbs from the garden.
Give them a good rinse to remove any dirt and shake off the excess water to prevent mold.
2. Prep the Herbs: Remove the lower leaves from the stems, leaving about an inch and a half of bare stem at the bottom. This makes it easy to tie your herbs into bundles.
3. Tie and Hang: Use twine or jute cord to tie your herbs into small bundles. Hang these bundles upside down in a cool, dry, and dark place.
If you don't have a dark room, just wrap the herbs in newspaper or a paper bag to protect them from light. This helps keep their flavor fresh.
Now all that’s left to do is wait. Most herbs should dry out in about one week, but it’s best to wait another 1-2 weeks to ensure all moisture is gone. It’s a good idea to check on them regularly!
- Check Your Herbs Weekly: You'll know they're fully dried and ready to store when they have a nice, crunchy texture, and they crumble easily. This method works great for herbs like lavender, lemon balm, mint, sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, cilantro, and oregano.
- Watch for Mold: Be careful with delicate herbs like mint, which can mold if there's too much moisture. Regularly check your herbs and toss any that show signs of mold.
If you don't want to follow the hang-drying method, try some of these other options:
Flat Drying for Delicate Herbs: Some herbs like chamomile are too delicate to hang and dry best when laid flat. Spread them on a tea towel or paper towel, cover them lightly to keep dust off, and leave them in a cool, dry place. It might take a few weeks, depending on your home's humidity, but the wait is worth it!
Speed Things Up with a Dehydrator: If you're short on space or time, a dehydrator is a great option. Most herbs can be dried at a temperature of 95-115°F, but if you live in a humid area, you might need to increase the temperature to 125°F. Check the herbs every few hours, as some may dry faster than others. It's a quick and efficient method.
Freezing Herbs for Freshness: If you prefer the taste of fresh herbs, you might want to skip the drying process altogether and freeze your herbs instead. Just chop your herbs, place them in an ice cube tray, and fill each compartment with olive oil. Freeze them, then pop the herb-oil cubes into a freezer bag for easy use. Just toss a cube into your cooking for an instant flavor boost.
Now that your herbs are dry, you need to store them properly to keep them fresh for as long as possible.
Storing your Dried Herbs: Glass containers are the best—mason jars are perfect for large quantities, while smaller spice jars work for everyday use. Keep them in a cool, dark place to maintain their flavor and potency. While dried herbs can last a long time, they do lose some flavor over time, so try to use them within a year for the best taste.
Now we come to the best part: using the dried herbs!
Dried herbs aren't just for cooking (though they do make meals taste amazing). You can use them in crafts, bath products, and beauty treatments. They're great in homemade soaps and lotions, adding fragrance and skin-soothing properties. Herbal teas are another wonderful use—grow a tea garden and blend your own unique flavors. And let's not forget their medicinal benefits; many herbs offer natural remedies for common ailments.
Preserving your herbs is not just about keeping them from going to waste; it's about capturing their essence and bringing a bit of garden freshness into your home, no matter the season. Whether you're drying, freezing, or crafting, these herbs will add flavor, beauty, and a touch of homemade goodness to your life. So, get out there and start preserving—your future self will thank you!
Thank you for reading, and see you next time!
