How to Dry Herbs

Growing herbs is just half of the fun. Cooking with them and tasting the fruits of your labor is the best part! Here are some simple ways to preserve your homegrown herbs.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bricks
• Brown Paper Bags
• Garden Shears
• Window Screens
• Fresh Herbs
• Canning Jars
• Cookie Sheets
• Plastic Bags
• Rubber Bands
• Empty Film Canisters
• Twine
• Canning jars
• Plastic bags
• Rubber bands
• Cookie sheets

Drying Long-Stemmed Leafy Herbs

1. Harvest herbs in the early morning hours just after the dew has dried off the leaves.

2. 

   Remove dirt by gently rinsing cut stems in cool water.

3. Shake off excess water.

4. 

   Gently pick off and remove dead or discolored leaves with your fingers.

5. Gather stems into small bunches and tie cut ends together with string or rubber bands.

6. 

   Hang bunches upside down in a warm, dark, dust-free, well-ventilated area such as an attic or over the water heater.

7. Take down bunches in two to three weeks - when herbs are dry and brittle.

8. Strip leaves from stems.

9. Store dried leaves in small jars, plastic bags or clean film containers.

Drying Short-Stemmed Herbs and Flower Petals

1. Choose an area that has good air circulation and does not receive direct sunlight.

2. Place a clean window screen on top of bricks or blocks.

3. Strip fresh leaves from stems and lay them on screen in one layer. For smaller leaves, place intact stems and leaves directly onto the screen.

4. Turn leaves periodically to ensure that the entire surface of the leaf is exposed to the air and dries completely.

5. Remove in 7 to 10 days - when leaves are dry.

6. Store for later use in plastic bags, small jars or clean plastic film containers.

Tips & Warnings

• For the most pungent flavor, pick herbs early in the day.

• If dust is difficult to avoid, poke a hole at the bottom of a brown paper bag and place over bundle while drying herbs.

• Window screens are available at hardware stores.