How do I dry herbs without losing nutrients?

Storing Dried Herbs Avoid exposing dried herbs to air, heat, and light. Airtight and vapor-proof containers will prevent herbs from absorbing moisture from the air and other foods from absorbing the fragrance of the herbs. Store in a cool, dry, dark place such as cupboards or drawers away from stoves and sinks.

How do you dry and preserve fresh herbs?

The traditional way to preserve herbs is by air drying or using low heat. Drying concentrates the flavor of herbs so you may need to only use one-third to one-fourth the amount of fresh herbs in recipes. After harvesting, gently wash the herbs and dry them thoroughly on paper towels.

What are the best dried herbs?

Here, 8 dried herbs you should never be without.

• Marjoram. Marjoram’s warm, lemony flavor is terrific for rich poultry dishes like slow-roasted turkey but it’s also a great substitute for fresh basil in dishes like this chicken and eggplant Parmesan.
• Thyme.
• Rosemary.
• Oregano.
• Mint.
• Tarragon.
• Sage.

What herbs can you hang to dry?

Tarragon, bay, mint, lemon balm, lavender, rosemary and small-leaved herbs such as thyme take well to air-drying, so they are great for beginners.

Is it OK to dry herbs in the oven?

Put herbs in an open oven on low heat – less than 180 degrees F – for 2-4 hours. To see if the herbs are dry, check if leaves crumble easily. Oven-dried herbs will cook a little, removing some of the potency and flavor, so you may need to use a little more of them in cooking.

Is it OK to dry herbs in the sun?

Use the sun’s heat to dry herbs, but don’t expose herbs to too much direct sunlight as this could cause them to bleach. Solar drying can be as low-tech as placing drying screens outside until your herbs are brittle (bring them in at night).

How long are dried herbs good for?

Dried herbs typically last 1–3 years. Examples include: basil. oregano.

Should you wash herbs before drying?

The general guideline is to harvest herbs just before the flowers open. You can definitely give the herbs a wash in cool water prior to drying, just be sure to gently shake off the excess moisture, and remove any wilted leaves, spots, insects, or other unsavory elements.

Are dried herbs good as fresh?

Dried herbs are easy to keep on hand, and they are at least as beneficial as fresh, if not more so, because the drying process actually concentrates the polyphenols and flavors. When buying dried herbs, get them in small quantities that you can use up in less than a year, because their flavor fades with time.

Are dried herbs stronger than fresh?

When cooking with herbs, there is a general rule of thumb to keep in mind regarding the ratio of fresh to dry: Because dried herbs are often more potent and concentrated than fresh herbs, you need less. That means the correct ratio is one tablespoon of fresh herbs to one teaspoon of dried herbs.

Can herbs be dried in the oven?

How To Oven-Dry Herbs. Place herb leaves or seeds on a cookie sheet one inch deep or less. Put herbs in an open oven on low heat – less than 180 degrees F – for 2-4 hours. Oven-dried herbs will cook a little, removing some of the potency and flavor, so you may need to use a little more of them in cooking.