Infusing Sugar with Fresh Herbs
Layer clean, dry herbs into granulated sugar and leave them in an airtight jar for at least three days. The sugar crystals pull the essential oils from the herbs, resulting in a scented base that carries the flavor of the garden into tea, baked goods, or cocktail rims.
Moisture is the enemy of storage.
Ensure your herbs are completely bone-dry after washing, or the sugar will clump and turn into a hard block.
- Glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
- Paper towels
- Fine-mesh sieve
What goes in.
- 2 cupsgranulated white sugar
- 3-4 sprigsfresh mint, rosemary, or thyme
Managing the Essential Oils
By burying the herbs entirely in sugar and sealing the jar, you create a controlled environment where the oils have nowhere to evaporate except into the sugar crystals.
The method.
Dry the herbs
Pat your herb sprigs dry with paper towels. Leave them spread out on a clean cloth for an hour to ensure no surface water remains.
Layer the jar
Pour an inch of sugar into the bottom of the jar. Place the sprigs on top, then cover completely with the remaining sugar.
Seal and wait
Close the lid tightly. Store the jar in a cool, dark cupboard. Give it a gentle shake every day to distribute the oils.
Strain
After three to five days, remove the wilted herb sprigs. If you prefer a fine texture, pour the sugar through a sieve to catch any dried leaf fragments.
Other turns to take.
Citrus Herb
Add strips of lemon or lime zest to the mint sugar for a brighter profile.
Woody Infusions
Rosemary and lavender require a longer infusion time, up to two weeks, to fully penetrate the sugar.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Use high-quality granulated sugar; coarse sanding sugar doesn't absorb the oils as efficiently.
If the sugar begins to clump, it means the herbs were not dry enough when added.
Discard the herbs once they turn dark or brittle; leaving them in too long can lead to an unpleasant hay-like taste.
The ones that keep coming up.
How long will this sugar keep?
Once the herbs are removed, the sugar will stay fragrant for about six months if kept in an airtight container.
Can I use dried herbs?
It is best to use fresh herbs. Dried herbs have already lost their volatile oils to the drying process and will not impart much scent to the sugar.
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