Many herbs are known in Mediterranean cuisine, and my love for herbs goes way back. I love to season with herbs, drink herb tea,
and enjoy the health benefits of these treasure plants. I grow, dry, and store
herbs. My small kitchen garden only has small patches of mint, lemon balm,
French tarragon, Greek oregano and lavender right now, but I have grown others
in the past and hope to broaden my variety in the future. I am also growing
cayenne peppers. All of these fine herbs and many more can easily be dried for
use at home during the winter, and can be given as gifts to others, as well.
Drying Methods
Stringing peppers with needle and thread, they can be hung in an area where they will have plenty of dry air and no direct sunlight. Most herbs also dry that way as whole plants. Still, herb leaves, seeds and other residue fall from the drying stalks. If hanging these herb plants in the house, they can cause a mess. I prefer another method.
This method is easier. While food dehydrators do dry herbs, I like using the air dry technique. I only have to lay the whole plants or branches on a dry towel where I can let them air a few days out of direct sunlight. If I cannot store them immediately upon drying, I lay another clean towel over them so that dust does not collect on the plants.
Storage Methods
After the plants are dry, I can store them as whole plants, but they take up much less space if I take time to brush the leaves and flowers gently off the stems. I remove the leaves over a baking sheet. Then, I can pour the crushed leaves into jars.
I use jars because they are excellent storage containers for dried herbs and other foods. Plastic bags and containers do not seem to store nearly as well. The herbs do not have the fresh, full flavor that is kept by storage in glass. In fact, glass stores and keeps the herbs tasting fresh for at least a year.
When storing herbs, jars of any size can sit attractively on a shelf, but if they are in a darkened cupboard or pantry shelf, the shelf-life is longer. Sunlight seems to quickly zap the herbs of their flavor. These herbs can also be stored in the freezer. When kept the stored herbs are ready for use in favorite dishes.
Drying Methods
Stringing peppers with needle and thread, they can be hung in an area where they will have plenty of dry air and no direct sunlight. Most herbs also dry that way as whole plants. Still, herb leaves, seeds and other residue fall from the drying stalks. If hanging these herb plants in the house, they can cause a mess. I prefer another method.
This method is easier. While food dehydrators do dry herbs, I like using the air dry technique. I only have to lay the whole plants or branches on a dry towel where I can let them air a few days out of direct sunlight. If I cannot store them immediately upon drying, I lay another clean towel over them so that dust does not collect on the plants.
Storage Methods
After the plants are dry, I can store them as whole plants, but they take up much less space if I take time to brush the leaves and flowers gently off the stems. I remove the leaves over a baking sheet. Then, I can pour the crushed leaves into jars.
I use jars because they are excellent storage containers for dried herbs and other foods. Plastic bags and containers do not seem to store nearly as well. The herbs do not have the fresh, full flavor that is kept by storage in glass. In fact, glass stores and keeps the herbs tasting fresh for at least a year.
When storing herbs, jars of any size can sit attractively on a shelf, but if they are in a darkened cupboard or pantry shelf, the shelf-life is longer. Sunlight seems to quickly zap the herbs of their flavor. These herbs can also be stored in the freezer. When kept the stored herbs are ready for use in favorite dishes.
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