Best Way to Dry Herbs
Manuel Wiggins
Methods of Herbs Drying and Quality Maintaining
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.
Best Way 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
Herbs that contain a lot of moisture, like basil, mint or Chives, are best dried by using a food dehydrator, or freezing. If you're just learning how to dry herbs, you might want to look into getting a dehydrator. It's a fast and easy way and retains quality because the temperature and air circulation can be controlled. After rinsing place the herbs in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Drying times may vary due to moisture content, the thickness of the leaves and how much you trying to dry at one time. Herbs are dry when the leaves are crisp, and stems brittle.
How to Store Dry Herbs
After you have dried your herbs, you will need to store them properly to make sure they retain their freshness. You can use small plastic bags with zip seal tops or store in small jars. It is best to keep dried herbs away from light and heat. Once you learn how to dry herbs, you're just one step away from being the best culinary cook on the block.
About the Author:
Manuel Wiggins includes information and resources on his website about Herbs , and you can read more about Herb Gardens
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