Picture this; You were so excited to have fresh herbs available in the garden. You planted TONS of herbs - Parsley, oregano, cilantro, basil, and more. As the season continued, you watched your garden grow. The herbs grew and grew and grew. It quickly overtook your entire garden. How do you deal with the abundance of herbs? Let me tell you about a few different methods that can turn your green herb leaves, into dried herbs found in your spice cabinet.
Below are pictures of fresh parsley, basil, oregano, and chives found in the Nourish gardens.
There are many ways you can dry out herbs. You can dry them in a dehydrator, microwave, or air-drying.
Dehydrator
Below is an example of our dehydrator. A dehydrator is a great way to dehydrate herbs. Usually, you cannot fit that many leaves on the tray. However, all you need to do is set it and forget it! Come back in 2-3 days and your herbs will be dry and ready to grind!
Microwave
The microwave is a way to dry out the herbs quickly, but it is more difficult to use this method with bulk herbs. All you do is place the herbs in a single layer between paper towels. Microwave for 30 seconds. Then check to see how dry they are. Do not exceed 4 minutes.
Air-drying
This is the longest method. However, I think it is the most fun! For this method, you need a warm, well-ventilated, dry, and dark area. We strung them up in our kitchen area and set up a curtain to make it darker. You must bunch up your herbs into a bundle and tie the stems together at the end. Below is a picture of an example from our Nourish kitchen. This process will take 5-10 days.
Storage
To store your now dry herbs, you should place them in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. If you would like the best flavor, do not grind your herbs before storage. Grinding can release the flavor as it sits. You can grind your herbs the right way if that is easier for storage. Ultimately, it is your choice and decision. Do what is best for you!
Flavor Facts
Dried herbs are a GREAT way to add flavor to your food. However, dried herbs are not the same as fresh. They do not have the same flavor. Here are some ways to maximize and enhance the flavor of your dried herbs.
1. Sauté your herbs in oil before cooking. The heat and oil help to rehydrate the herbs and release their essential oils.
2. You can also release these oils by using a mortar and pestle to grind and enhance the flavor.
Written by Nourish Dietetic Intern, Sara Dick