Drying herbs

Food by LoisJanuary 26, 2014

Drying herbs the way I did it… doesn’t work! Open the pot and there’s a mouldy clump of something instead of sweet fragrant marjoram. I got my food drier last autumn and had success with some things… chiefly apples, but even as I was drying the herbs (guided by the not very helpful instruction leaflet) I had a feeling it wasn’t right; although I had done exactly s instructed at the correct temperature, they seemed floppy not dry… I set it for longer, I turned up the temperature… but after a long time they still weren’t quite right… but maybe being too trusting, I stored them… and discovered the results today.

This summer… if we have a lovely hot summer then I will try drying herbs in the sun… if we don’t then I will try in the oven on the slow setting… or maybe find some different instructions for my drier!

… or I could just freeze them!

13 Comments

Serena on January 27, 2014 at 11:03 am
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I dry them on the shade, I hang them using a string in a well ventilated place…It works! 🙂

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1. Lois on January 27, 2014 at 11:05 am
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  Thank you for that advice… I hope we have a good summer and so I can try again!
  
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  1. Serena on January 27, 2014 at 11:16 am
    
    Yes, it’s also important to have a dry place 🙂
    
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  2. Lois on January 27, 2014 at 4:52 pm
    
    We’re really looking forward to having a dry place… we’ve had rain, rain, rain… so I hope the summer months will be sunny!
    
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  3. Serena on January 27, 2014 at 5:05 pm
    
    I know what you mean! In Italy we had a lot of rain as well!
    
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  4. Serena on January 27, 2014 at 5:06 pm
    
    and floods…
    
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  5. Lois on January 27, 2014 at 5:08 pm
    
    Europe seems to be suffering, doesn’t it… there have been floods in France too.
    
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  6. Serena on January 27, 2014 at 5:19 pm
    
    well, everywhere there are problems with the weather lately…Yes, we definitely need a nice summer!!!
    
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Rosie Scribblah on January 27, 2014 at 11:35 am
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Chopped finely, mixed with a little water and frozen in ice cube trays works for me. Mint I store in vinegar.

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1. Lois on January 27, 2014 at 4:53 pm
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  Hey… that’s a good idea!
  
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  1. Rosie Scribblah on January 27, 2014 at 11:55 pm
    
    easy peasy
    
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Peri's Spice Ladle on January 27, 2014 at 7:36 pm
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My favorite way is wrapped in paper towels and frozen till required…For basil, cilantro and parsley, I chop and make ice cubes! I love hearing about these experiments though, always something to learn in there without reinventing the wheel:)

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1. Lois on January 27, 2014 at 10:14 pm
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  The paper towel idea sounds good… I think I am going to have a successful harvest of herbs this year!
  
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