If you are faced with an abundance of fresh herbs, and don't know what to do with it, drying the herbs is the surest way to minimize food waste and have herbs on hand that still pack a load of flavor in your favorite recipes. So, now that you're eager to dry your own herbs, it's good to look at what's available and what dries best. Discard bruised, soiled or imperfect leaves and stems.". Make sure herbs are completely dry to prevent mold growth during storage. This ingredient shows versatility and by drying, you are preserving a flavorful season to use in your cooking all year round. Nov 2016 | Information on how to safely can soup, including procedure and processing times. If you’re going to be drying herbs using this method frequently, you may wish to make a drying … The latter might not look as good, but it works just as well. Dry one to three hours or until the herbs are dry and crumble easily. We know we would! Oregon State University Extension Canning Timer and Checklist app can help you safely can your favorite fruits, vegetables, and meats. Herbs are dry when they crumble easily and brittle stems break when bent; leaves and seeds should fall from the stems. Microwave: Microwave ovens are a fast way to dry herbs, but dry no more than one to two cups at a time. Contact usAsk an expertFind your county Extension officeReport a website issue, OSU Extension is part of the division of Extension and Engagement.Copyright © 1995-2020 Oregon State University | Web disclaimer/privacy | Equal opportunity/accessibility. dehydrator proves a great way to dry herbs. This method can work wonderfully, but it's not the only option. Learn a convenient way to prepare tuna for the “raw pack” home canning technique, taking advantage of the unique flavor you obtain by cooking the tuna in its own juices. Make sure you use a rubber band to hold the fresh herbs together, as when the herbs dry, the stems will shrink and the rubber band will make sure to keep the bind tight. Jeanne Brandt | Some, like basil, sage, cilantro, and rosemary prove simple to start since they have larger, solid leaves and don't require much maintenance before the process. Herbs that have been air-dried and seeds need to be treated to destroy any insects or insect eggs by heating the herbs … Once the greens aren't wet anymore, microwave between two paper towels for one minute. Video. The wetter the air, the longer it will take. Check it out on both iOS and Android. Use them within six months to a year. To store them, place dried herbs in an airtight container and keep in a cool, dark, dry location for optimum flavor and color. Don't waste and instead make those excess herbs work for you. Use this process for all drying methods.Crumble the dried herbs with your fingers (discard the hard leafstalks and midribs) and store in small, airtight containers.If you use clear glass containers, store them in a dark place so the herbs don’t lose their color. Good news, you can actually dry any herb you want, just make sure to label them at the end since piles of dried green leaves start to look the same. CORVALLIS, Ore. – When chopped or ground, the leaves and seeds of fresh herbs release their oils and make food tastier. The best time to harvest herbs for drying is just before the flowers first open (the bursting bud stage), according to Carolyn Raab, food and nutrition specialist with Oregon State University Extension Service. Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Shop at the Dock Garibaldi: Sourcing local seafood in Garibaldi - April 2020, Shop at the Dock Garibaldi: Seafood in season - April 2020, Safety of Canned Food That Freezes (SP 50-695), Canned meat, poultry, and fish: problems and solutions (SP 50-741), Commercial fishing, crabbing and clamming, Local, regional and community food systems. Guidelines for determining the safety of canned food that has frozen. Herbs are dry when they crumble easily and brittle stems break when bent; leaves and seeds should fall from the stems. Plus, wouldn't you rather add a pinch of dried basil to the spaghetti sauce than skip it? iTunes: ... Jeanne Brandt | Amanda Gladics | Use them within six months to a year. Drying herbs in a paper bag is a great way to recycle bags from the market. So, now that you're eager to dry your own herbs, it's good to look at what's available and what dries best. Sun drying is not recommended.