How to dry herbs

A great way to enjoy home grown herbs year round is to harvest & dry them. This is a very simple process.

When is the best time to harvest?

Harvesting should occur before the plant flowers, when the essential oils are at their greatest.

Mid morning is the best time of the day to harvest.

Once picked, remove diseased or brown leaves. Remove the lower leaves from the branch.

Pick the herbs you wish to dry & . rinse under the tap to remove any dirt & bugs. Gently shake off excess water & pat dry with paper towels.

There are different methods to actually dry the herbs including;

·         Tying them up in bunches & hanging upside down in a warm, well ventilated, dust free area away from direct sunlight. You may also place the herbs in a brown paper bag so that they are not exposed to sunlight or dust while they are drying. Remember to punch holes in the bags to allow airflow.

·         Using a food dehydrator to dry.

·         Lay herbs on open wire trays in a warm, well ventilated, dust free area away from direct sunlight. Stems should be spaced to allow airflow.

Drying should take approximately 2 weeks, check herbs after 7 days. Herbs are ready when the leaves crunch easily.

Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.