How to Store Dried Herbs and Leaves
Dried herbs and leaves thrive in an airtight container kept in a cool, dark cupboard, away from the heat of the stove and the direct reach of sunlight. Exposure to light, moisture, and warmth causes the essential oils that carry the flavor to dissipate, leaving you with nothing but brittle, tasteless plant matter.
Enemies are light, heat, and humidity.
If you can smell the herb from outside the jar, the container is not sealed properly and your herbs are losing potency.
- small glass jars with tight-fitting lids
- masking tape
- permanent marker
Seal and shade
Always use glass over plastic. Plastic is porous and will absorb odors over time, whereas glass remains neutral and provides an impenetrable barrier against oxygen.
The method.
Ensure absolute dryness
If you dried the herbs yourself, verify they crumble into dust between your fingers. Any hint of flexibility or moisture will invite mold inside your jar.
Select the right vessel
Choose a jar just large enough to hold the herb without packing it down. Excess air in the jar acts as a buffer for oxygen, which degrades the leaves.
Label and date
Write the name of the herb and the date of storage on the jar. Herbs lose their edge after about a year; this tells you when to refresh your supply.
Find the right shelf
Store your jars in a low drawer or a cupboard located on an interior wall. Never place them above the oven, where steam and temperature fluctuations will ruin the oils.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Keep herbs whole rather than crushed if you have the space; crushing them releases the oils immediately, shortening their lifespan.
If you find moisture in the jar, move the herbs back to a low-heat oven for 15 minutes to re-dry them before resealing.
Check your stash every few months. If the color has turned dull or gray, it is time to discard them.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I store them in the freezer?
You can, but it is unnecessary for dried herbs. Freezer storage can introduce condensation when you remove the jar to take a pinch, which is more damaging than room temperature storage.
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