How to Store Dried Herbs
Store dried herbs in airtight glass containers, kept in a dark, cool cupboard away from the stove or windows. Exposure to light, heat, and moisture causes them to lose their volatile oils and potency, turning aromatic leaves into flavorless dust.
Consistency is your primary goal.
Your herbs will last up to a year if you protect them from the three enemies of flavor: light, heat, and humidity. Keep them in a place where the temperature stays stable throughout the day.
- small glass jars with tight-fitting lids
- adhesive labels
- dark pantry or kitchen cabinet
Keep it cool and dark
Avoid storing your herbs above the stove or next to the oven; the repetitive temperature swings will accelerate degradation. A dedicated spice drawer or a dark cupboard away from the main heat sources is the only place they should live.
The method.
Select the right container
Use glass jars with rubber or tight-sealing lids. Plastic allows air to permeate over time, leading to oxidation.
Ensure complete dryness
If you dried them yourself, confirm they shatter when touched before jarring. Any residual moisture will cause mold inside a sealed jar.
Label and date
Write the name and the date of storage on the bottom or side. If you cannot remember when you bought or dried them, it has been too long.
Shelve away from light
Place the jars inside a closed cupboard. If you must use open shelving, store the herbs in opaque metal tins or ceramic jars to block light entirely.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Crush a small piece of the leaf between your fingers before cooking; if you cannot smell the herb immediately, it has lost its potency and should be discarded.
Store whole leaves rather than pre-ground herbs; whole leaves retain their oils significantly longer and can be crumbled just before they hit the pan.
Do not shake herbs directly from the jar over a steaming pot, as the rising steam will introduce moisture into the container.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I store herbs in the refrigerator?
No. The humidity in a refrigerator is too high and will cause dried herbs to clump and potentially spoil.
How do I know if the herbs are still good?
Check the color and the scent. If the color has faded significantly to a grey-brown or if there is no aroma when you crush a leaf, the herb is exhausted.
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