Preserving Your Garden Herbs: A Guide to Air-Drying
Fresh herbs are a seasonal luxury, but drying them allows you to carry those summer scents into the winter months. The difference between shop-bought dust and home-dried herbs lies entirely in the speed of the drying process and the protection from direct light.
Timing is everything for oil retention.
Pick your herbs just before the flower buds open, as this is when the oils are most concentrated. Avoid washing them if they are clean; if you must rinse, ensure they are bone-dry before bundling.
- Kitchen twine
- Paper bags
- Scissors
The Paper Bag Shield
Enclosing your bundles in paper bags keeps the herbs free of dust and prevents sunlight from bleaching the color and flavor out of the leaves while they hang.
The method.
Harvesting
Use sharp shears to clip stems several inches above the base of the plant. Cut mid-morning once the dew has evaporated but before the heat of the day causes the leaves to wilt.
Bundling
Strip the leaves from the bottom two inches of each stem. Gather five to ten stems into a small bunch and tie them tightly with twine; the stems will shrink as they dry, so a loose knot will result in herbs falling to the floor.
Protecting
Place the bundle upside down inside a paper bag. Poke several holes in the sides of the bag for airflow and tie the bag closed around the stems.
Hanging
Suspend the bags in a dark, dry room with consistent air circulation. Avoid kitchens, which are often too humid.
Checking
Check after one week. If the leaves crumble easily between your thumb and forefinger, they are ready. If they bend or feel soft, wait another few days.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Always store dried herbs in glass jars away from direct sunlight to keep the color vibrant.
Soft-leaf herbs like basil and cilantro lose their flavor quickly when dried; it is better to preserve these in oil or freeze them instead.
Label your jars with the harvest date; dried herbs generally maintain peak potency for about one year.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I dry herbs in the oven?
You can, but it is easy to accidentally cook them, which destroys the flavor. Air-drying is much more forgiving and produces a more consistent result.
What if my herbs turn brown while drying?
This usually means the drying process took too long or the room was too humid. Ensure your bundles are small and that there is steady airflow.
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