Tips and Methods for Drying Herbs

Many people enjoy growing and drying herbs to preserve them for future use in cooking or craft projects. Whether you are drying herbs to cook with, or drying them to use in crafting, it is important that they are dried correctly so that they do not spoil or become depleted of their natural oils and flavor.

There are three basic drying methods available to preserve herbs. Air drying, oven drying and using a dehydrator are the most popular drying methods used. While some people will recommend a fourth drying option, microwave drying, this method is not very effective and should be avoided at all costs.

When deciding on what drying method you want to use to dry your herbs, it is important to first look at what herbs you will be drying. Some herbs dry better using one method than others will. Herbs that have a low moisture content such as Bay, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme and Marjoram will do best using the air drying method. Herbs that have a high moisture content such as Mint, Tarragon, Basil and Chives will do better being dried in a dehydrator or in the oven.

Air Drying Herbs

Air drying herbs is the preferred drying method by herbs. When you air dry herbs, your herbs retain almost of all their nutritional value and natural oils. This is of course beneficial whether you use your dried herbs for crafting or cooking. Air drying herbs is also the easiest and most cost effective method for drying herbs, as there is no worry of cooking your herbs rather than drying them, and there are no costly materials (ie. dehydrator, electricity, etc.) necessary.

Tips for Air Drying Herbs

After rinsing and cleaning herbs, make sure they are thoroughly dry before starting the preserving process. Wet herbs can mildew and rot.

Whether you use rubber bands or strings to tie your bundles of herbs together, once your herbs start to dry, check them often. The drying process can will shrink the herbs as they dry, which can cause the herbs to slip from the rubber band or string.

If you are air drying plants that have a high water content, make your bundles smaller in size.

Hang your drying herbs in a room that remains the same relative temperature. You should also make sure your herbs are placed in a room that has low humidity. Drying herbs in a room with high humidity (such as the bathroom) can lengthen drying time and/or cause the herbs to rot.

Dehydrator Drying

A food dehydrator uses warm air to reduce the water content in foods. The warm air pulls the water content from the food, drying it and preserving it. Food dehydrator work well for drying and preserving many foods, and herbs are no exception. Food dehydrator will work for drying herbs with both a low and high moisture content, whereas air drying should only be used for herbs with a low moisture content.

Tips for Dehydrator Drying

Leave adequate space between herb pieces. Do not place too many herbs on one tray, as this can slow the drying process. Leaving gaps between herb allows the air to circulate more freely, and will speed drying time.

Dry like herbs together. Dry your high moisture herbs together and separately from your low moisture herbs.

Avoid drying in wet weather, or in high humidity areas such as the basement. The added moisture in the air can slow the drying process.

If your dehydrator has various temperature settings, make sure that you are using the proper setting for your herbs. Too high of a temperature can cook the herbs, rather than just dry them.

Oven Drying Herbs

As a last resort, you can also dry your herbs in a conventional oven. This method is not often used by people, because it not only can take a long period of time, but is quite costly on your electric or gas bill as well.

Oven drying is effective however if you have no other method for drying your herbs. Just be prepared to do your drying over a period of time when you will not need to be using your oven.

Tips For Oven Drying Herbs

Make sure your oven is on the lowest setting possible. You want to dry your herbs, not cook them. If your oven temperature does not go below 200 degrees or so, you may want to consider looking into other methods of herb drying.

Make sure your oven door stays propped open. The only way to ensure your herbs dry, and not bake, is to keep the oven door open a few inches so that air can circulate around the herbs. Make certain family members know to leave the door open, and that the door can not become closed.

Place a fan near the oven to help improve air circulation. Proper air circulation is essential to successful herb drying. Ovens are not made to circulate air, so you may have to help the process allow. A small fan placed near the oven can help to improve air circulation around the plants. Just make sure the fan is not pointed into the oven, or you will end up with a huge mess!