How to Harvest and Dry Parsley

Fresh parsley

Drying and harvesting parsley is an ideal way to store it for later use. The dried parsley can be used in recipes just as easily as when it was fresh, making it very popular with anyone who loves to cook. Since it is so simple it can be done by virtually anyone with a few minutes to spare and an interest in food preservation.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh parsley
• Sharp knife or scissors
• Small string, or dental floss
• Paper bag
• Water
• Paper towels
• Airtight container

Instructions

1. Using a knife or scissors, snip the stem of the parsley plant just below the leaves.

2. 

   Rinse if needed.

   Rinse parsley under cool water to remove dirt and bugs while discarding any damaged leaves.

3. Dry the parsley with the paper towels.

4. Tie the string tightly around the base of the parsley bunch.

5. Cut small ventilation holes in the paper bag with the scissors and place parsley upside down inside the bag while gathering the top of the bag tightly around the tied stems.

6. Hang the paper bag from the gathered top in a warm dry area until the parsley is completely dry.

7. 

   Dried parsley

   Remove the dried parsley and store in an airtight container.

Tips & Warnings

• Harvest in the early morning on a day that will be warm and dry after the dew has disappeared.

• Make sure the parsley is completely dry before drying or storing. Wet herbs will mold, quickly leading to spoilage.

References

• Purdue University; Drying Herbs; 2002