Drying Fresh Garden Herbs
Drying herbs preserves their volatile oils for use long after the growing season ends. The most reliable method involves hanging bundled stems in a dark, airy space or laying leaves flat on a screen, ensuring complete moisture removal before storage to prevent mold.
Timing is everything
Harvest herbs in the mid-morning after the dew has evaporated but before the sun intensifies and pulls the essential oils into the roots. Work quickly to keep the stems clean and avoid washing them unless they are visibly muddy.
- Kitchen twine
- Paper bags
- Fine mesh drying screen
- Glass jars with airtight lids
Testing for crispness
Your herbs are ready when they shatter at the slightest pressure of your fingers. If the leaf bends or feels leathery, it still holds moisture and will spoil in a jar.
The method.
Bundle the stems
Gather 5 to 10 stems of herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary. Tie the base tightly with twine, as stems shrink as they lose water.
Protect the harvest
Slide a paper bag with holes punched in the sides over the herb bundle. Tie the bag to the stems to catch any falling leaves and protect them from dust.
Hang for drying
Suspend the bags in a warm, dry area with good air circulation, away from direct sunlight, which bleaches the color and diminishes the fragrance.
Process for storage
Once brittle, crumble the leaves off the stems. Discard the woody stalks and store the dried leaves in small, airtight glass jars in a dark cupboard.
Other turns to take.
Screen Drying
Best for high-moisture herbs like basil, mint, or parsley. Remove individual leaves from the stems and spread them in a single layer on a mesh screen elevated on blocks to allow air to flow underneath.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Label each jar with the name of the herb and the date you harvested it.
Store dried herbs whole and crush them only when you are ready to cook; this keeps the aromatics locked inside for months.
If you see any condensation inside the jar after a few days, the herbs weren't fully dry; take them out and give them more time on the screen.
The ones that keep coming up.
Should I wash my herbs before drying?
Avoid it. Washing adds moisture that leads to mold. If you must wash dusty herbs, dry them thoroughly with a salad spinner and paper towels before bundling.
Why use a paper bag?
The bag shields the herbs from dust and light while allowing air to circulate through the holes. It also catches leaves that naturally fall as the herbs dry.
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