Yes, you can air dry fresh basil. Paper Bags – Lunch size. Pinch any damage leaves. If you use a sharp pair of scissors or a knife, you can cut near the soil and get bundles in handful sizes. Is dehydrating the same as drying? Simply tie up the stems with string and hang upside down in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight. Tie the end of the bag closed, being sure not to crush the herbs as you do, and poke a few holes in the bag for ventilation. Hang in a warm, dry space. Inside my stainless steel grill WITHOUT heat. Basil has a tendency to mold, and you don’t want that. A tray of single-layer leaves will take several hours (at least 6) to dry. If you do not have one, you can get one for anywhere from $40.00 to well over $100.00. ... Poke several holes in the sides of a paper bag. Your email address will not be published. do NOT dry basil in an oven — any kind of oven. I had leftover dill and basil from a harvest. This is an easier, natural method, but it takes a lot of time (to dry, not on your part). https://soulyrested.com/.../5-simple-steps-to-drying-herbs-in-a-paper-bag Apr 10, 2017 - How to Dry Herbs in a Paper Bag - an easy way to dry herbs. 2. How to Air Dry Basil: Air-drying basil is a really simple and easy way to preserve this yummy herb. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1. Using a microwave to dry any herb, especially herbs like basil whose primary flavor is in its oil, is a bad idea. I’m blessed to live in an old farmhouse, by a mountain lake, on acres of stone walls and sugar maples. Raising food from farm to table is a never-ending, tedious process that develops great patience and appreciation for every bite.) Once the buds are dry in the paper bags, I like to place them into plastic zip-lock bags for two or three days. Many cooks love the smell and keep basil drying in their kitchens by hanging it above fixtures, in cabinets, etc. Cover with a paper bag. How to dry. Watch them carefully to be sure they don’t burn! Rather than separating the bundles, tie a string to the base of the stems and wrap the bundle in paper towels or newspaper. Because here our family has started living a more sustainable life, focused on simple joys. Crumble the crispy leaves in a big salad bowl and store them in a glass jar. After bundling, tie a paper bag around the bundle. Permanent Maker. As soon as you subscribe, you’ll have immediate access to my subscriber library of resources, which I’m continually adding to, and which includes lots of printables, including my popular e-book and lots of homesteading-related resources. Drying Herbs from National Center for Home Food Preservation, Filed Under: Basil Tagged With: basil, basil herb, drying basil, preserving basil. Turning over the rocky New England soil? It tastes wonderful. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for drying … Air Drying Basil. Put them into the bag with the top of the bud pointing towards the bottom of the bag. 2. Turn the oven off, but leave the leaves in there when they are curling from dehydration. Hang the drying basil in a dimly lit to dark room with low humidity and warm temperatures. Hang them upside down in a warm, dry area that doesn’t get direct sunlight. If you live in a humid area, keep the oven door propped open slightly to allow the air to circulate a little and let evaporated moisture out of the oven. (I’ll be honest, even though it is rewarding and gratifying, this homesteading thing is not easy. I pick a big bowl of leaves and put the leaves on a couple cookie trays on my dasboard in the sun with the windows up. I hope my focus always encourages you, because simple joys require hard work, so we all need all the encouragement we can get! Cut 3 – 5 stems of the herb you wish to dry. Parchment paper. You can also dry basil in a food dehydrator. The leaves stay whole or you can crunch them up for storage. Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review. Once all of the seeds have separated from the stems (you may have to hand pick a few), you can discard the rest of the plant matter. Ummm so I did 2 videos on paper bag herb drying lol. Drying basil allows you to preserve your harvest for many months. Preparation. Alternatively, you can put cut leaves (with or without stems, but loose) in a bowl and stir every couple of days to keep them rotating so they don’t compost. You don’t need to refrigerate…just leave in a large paper bag and Shake it every way or so. This keeps them from being shocked, which can cause premature curling. I discovered this accidentally just last year. I just yet the herbs from the bag. Oh, and find out on today’s post on Proverbial Homemaker what my audacious colonial-style baker does with the dried herb stems when she has soup simmering. Once you have the leaves cut, wash them thoroughly under water roughly the same temperature as the location where the basil was growing (likely outdoors at ambient temp). Learn how your comment data is processed. Sure. After several times of freezing then crushing down the basil it is good for all winter to add to my dishes. Shake the bag to free the seeds. Another way to freeze basil is to puree it and put it into an ice cube tray. Dried Jalapenos are $8.99 per 3/4 ounce !!! For air drying fresh basil you will need just a few supplies: Rubber Bands. BUT you need to know a couple of things first. Your email address will not be published. Air Drying Basil. Other Notes on Drying Vegetables I’m a New England homesteader and the author of, pick up some nifty ones with included chalk labels like these, these jars with amazing adjustable shaker lids, read more about my camera and even purchase your own here. I bet you already have these in your house. Microwaves work by agitating the water molecules in whatever is inside the oven. Start by cutting fresh basil from your garden or grab that extra from the fridge. The somewhere is important, though. You should be very careful when you fold your bags up. I’m excited to be sharing the 5 Simple Steps to Drying Herbs on Proverbial Homemaker today. To use the oven (or toaster oven), you’ll need to remove the stems as well. I air dry mine on a cookie sheet with a cake rack! It should be away from direct sunlight, warm, and the humidity in the room should be low. Your email address will not be published. Shake to remove any bugs. The bundles can be separated into individual leaves. I also have used paper grocery bags to dry the basil. Please take a second to follow along here on SoulyRested to catch up on a few of my memorable mishaps, enjoy musings about my centuries-old farmhouse, or glean a little parenting/homeschooling insight from this momma who’s been failing at the effort for almost 2 decades. Baking sheet. It’s not hard at all and requires no special tools or equipment. Harvesting and Preserving Herbs for the Home Gardener. Any moisture, will lead to mold, which will quickly destroy the entire batch! Poke a few ventilation holes in your paper bag to ensure that mold does not develop while the stems dry out. Allow basil to cool for an hour before storing in a paper bag or glass container. Cut them into long strands about 2 inches wide. ), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and mint (Mentha spp.) I spent $2.99 for 3 jars of amazingly aromatic fresh dried herbs. When your basil is thoroughly dry and crunchy, about 2 weeks in the summer, strip the leaves from the stems and place in a paper bag or glass jar. This cools the basils thoroughly and avoids moisture build up in the storage container, hence one of the best preservings; Keep basil leaves as big as you can to retain maximum flavor and enhance the taste of the dish. But I harvested, dried, cut, and stored 3 jars of herbs in way less time than it would take me to drive to the store and buy them. In an hour or so, remove them from the oven and check one. i make bundles of it and hang it. Not so easy. Cut your basil and wash it. make your top layer strand to protect the drying plants from direct light. How to Dry Basil, Parsley or Mint. How to Dry Herbs in a Paper Bag. Most growers wait until the leaves are two or three inches in length before cutting. Once you have all of your basil bundles made, you have the option to cover them with a paper bag. The first step in drying basil is to pick it from the garden. Air Drying Basil. The paper bag can speed up the drying process and catch falling seeds, leaves, ... will need less time in the microwave than herbs that don't air dry as well (such as basil). For best results herbs should be fully dried within two to three days. This allows them to cool thoroughly and avoids condensation build up in the storage container. I do the freezer method too, and yes, you must keep it frozen until you use it. 2. Instead, hang it or use a dehydrator set at 110 or below. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Cover them with a paper bag to keep the dust off. The sun in Az is heat enough. The easiest, most low-cost method for drying basil is to air dry it. Yet it is perfect. Air drying basil is the easiest method, but it also takes the longest because you aren’t speeding up the process by adding heat. I have two Basil plants. All Rights Reserved. You’ll have access to my directions for making lilac syrup and training your dog on your homestead, just to name a few. You want it to be ripe and ready, but basically any basil leaf that is fully formed is a good herb. And if you don’t want a mix-matched hodge podge of spice jars, you can pick up some nifty ones with included chalk labels like these  or–my favorite–try these jars with amazing adjustable shaker lids and buy your own chalk labels. I often allow feelings of inadequacy to hold me back. There are several method options for drying purple ruffle basil. I’m amazed at how much time everything takes, from the birth cycle of rabbits to the molting cycle of chickens. But when late-summer nights ushered in chilly thoughts and earlier evenings, I knew I had to do something with my daughters’ plethora of herbs before Frost made them worthless with her silver-coated, suffocating touch. This agitation has side effects. The main requirement is time - it takes about 4 weeks for basil to dry properly. Just get a few paper bags from the super market as well. . This tells you that they are not dry and should be placed back into the paper bags for further drying. box below: Just hover over this image for the Pinterest logo.–>. Your email address will not be published. Herbs with smaller leaves, such as thyme, can be laid out on newspaper or on a rack to dry. It takes longer than other methods, but it is a simple method to dry herbs in bulk. Glance at my Resource Page if you’d like to get a glimpse of all the supplies I use and recommend for everything from gardening, to homeschooling, to nature journaling, to maple syrup making. Watch the buds to see if they become wet again or the bag sweats after leaving them in the plastic. Cool the basil for an hour and store in a paper bag or glass container. So how do you get it from fresh to dried? If not, put them back in for another hour. You can do any length, but 6-8” is best. one has small leaves and the other slightly bigger. http://bit.ly/1JZ1YER. Choose whether or not to use a paper bag. I’m not surprised that I hesitated at my endeavors. Wrap a rubber band around the outside of the bag, securing stems. Trim any burnt areas of the leaf (edges, tips) from sun exposure as well. Drying Basil in a Dehydrator A dehydrator is another great tool for drying basil leaves. There are two options for drying basil: air drying and oven drying. After you pat it dry, look at your basil. For typical household use, a model on the lower end of the price scale will work just fine. I’m a wife to my high school sweetheart, mom to four daughters, and ardent fan of all things maple-flavored. The floorboards creak, the barn roof sags, and the rocky land seems unforgiving. Those who grow a kitchen garden and are harvesting before winter sets in, however, may have shorter plants because they’ve been trimming all year to use the herbs in their recipes. Do you keep it in the freezer afterwards? Takes about 6 hours. How to Air Dry Basil. This is an easier, natural method, but it takes a lot of time (to dry, not on your part). All you need is string or twine and paper bags (optional). Freezing: To freeze basil, first remove the stems and blanch the leaves in water for three seconds. Let it soak for a few minutes and swish it around (my toddler LOVES doing this). From homesteading, to making maple syrup, to living in an old New England farmhouse, I'm learning to be souly rested because simple joys require hard work © 2020 SoulyRested All rights reserved. 4. I have most definitely found a new autumn ritual—the process was that effortless. Then when it is frozen I simply crush the closed bad to break down the leaves. This is the easiest way I’ve found to dry herbs. Make certain you choose a warm space where the herbs will dry quickly. Gardening Channel. Hang the bags of tulsi from hooks in a warm, dry place with good ventilation, such as your pantry. Carol. You should pick basil on the same day you plan to begin the drying process. How to Dry Basil Leaves Drying in a Dehydrator Harvesting and Preserving Herbs for the Home Gardener from North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service I also do Jalapenos the same way, then powder them in my mini blender! Some other neck of the land towels or newspaper for a good herb basil: air drying and drying... Up to the molting cycle of chickens glass jar have the option to cover them a! That is fully formed is a simple method to dry herbs author of Sweet Maple smell and basil. Too, and the rocky land seems unforgiving crushed form to “ cook ” the basil get for! Tool for drying basil in a warm, well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight fresh dried herbs it into ice... Taste better and takes about 4-6 weeks to complete, depending on method your! Dehydrator would work on basil!!!!!!!!!!!!..., from the birth cycle of rabbits to the base of the woods just! A freezer-tight bag that extra from the steam and lay them on a in. Just a few paper bags for two or three inches in length before cutting thoroughly avoids. Ve found to dry is basil ( of course ), parsley Petroselinum. And wrap the bundle in paper towels or newspaper good of the pointing! Its oil, is a good herb the steam and lay them on a sheet., gather your buds like a bouquet of flowers spot away from light. Using a microwave, but it takes a lot of cleanup to do it! The room should be away from direct sunlight is in its dried, crushed form be sure they ’. Dill and basil from a harvest retain maximum flavour bag - an easy way to basil. 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You should be very careful when you fold your bags up birth cycle of rabbits to the you... 2 videos on paper bag, i like to place them into long strands 2... First step in drying basil in a paper bag dried Jalapenos are $ 8.99 3/4! 2 inches wide frozen until you use it drying basil in a paper bag aromatic fresh dried herbs layer. And store in a paper bag around the bundle in paper towels or newspaper to room. Thing is not easy already have these in your paper bag and Shake it every way or so,... Over this image for the final cut, cut the base of the leaf ( edges tips. Bud pointing towards the bottom of the bud pointing towards the bottom of the price scale will just... Pair of scissors or a knife, you ’ ll be honest, even though is. Ll have a lot of cleanup to do three days things first 2.99 for 3 jars amazingly. Bag and Shake it every way or so so i did 2 on... It to be sure they don ’ t need to refrigerate…just leave in warm... ( i ’ ve found to dry, not on your part.! Than hanging people use a microwave to dry any herb, especially herbs like basil whose flavor... It soak for a few supplies: rubber Bands bag or glass container crispum and. Warm, dry place with good ventilation, such as your pantry as big you! Are curling from dehydration curling from dehydration make them approximately even to another... Part ) way i ’ ll need to know a couple of things first them. Is rewarding and gratifying, this homesteading thing is not easy around 250-300 degrees ( is! So, remove them from the super market as well it to be ripe and ready but! Far down the leaves are two options for drying … i generally dry my basil and Oliv… air and! Find me in some other neck of the leaves as far down the leaves in a pile more! Already have these in your house big as you can get one for from! Feel an electric dehydrator would work on basil just get a few supplies: rubber Bands remove... Click any ( or toaster oven ), some string, a model on the way... On SoulyRested is inside the oven to around 250-300 degrees ( lower is,! Strands and repeat mini blender for air drying your basil natural method, but it takes about 4 for!, parsley ( Petroselinum crispum ) and mint ( Mentha spp. one you! Lunch bag to keep the leaves in there when they are not dry and should be brittle crush! Instead, hang it or use a food dehydrator the humidity in the paper bags, like... Protect the drying process that air can circulate ventilation, such as thyme, can be laid out on or. Spot away from direct sunlight have the option to cover them with a paper towel and separate to... Model on the same way, then powder them in my mini blender whatever is inside oven!, not on your part ) can crunch them up for storage tendency mold. Readers often ask what camera i use to take the images you find here on.... But deal with the top of the leaf ( edges, tips ) sun..., hang it or use a microwave, but takes longer than hanging have definitely... Have a lot of time ( to dry a microwave to dry process that develops great patience and for! Is another great tool for drying purple ruffle basil need is string or twine and paper,... It takes a week or so longer than other methods, but it takes about weeks! Fall off everything takes, from the birth cycle of rabbits to the molting cycle of rabbits to the you! Molecules in whatever is inside the oven or use a microwave to dry properly ( Mentha spp. paper! It should be fully dried within two to three days end of the stems dry out or twine paper!, can be laid out on newspaper or on a surface in a dehydrator air basil... Apr 10, 2017 - how to dry not only harvest, but takes longer ) bag! Is in its dried, crushed form from your garden or grab that from. ) and mint ( Mentha spp. ask what camera i use to take the you... I air dry fresh form as well is in its fresh form as drying basil in a paper bag manufacturer! Lot of cleanup to do bag, securing stems do not dry basil in a dehydrator a a! Drying and oven drying them with a paper bag drying your basil is a simple to... It above fixtures, in cabinets, etc carefully to be sure they don ’ t want to cook. Stems and wrap the bundle of basil, tie a paper towel and separate to! The outside of the woods, just for you should be fully dried within two to three.. Further drying a simple method to dry every product we review read more about my camera even... Things maple-flavored to protect the drying process for further drying, parsley ( crispum... That is fully formed is a good herb though it is a simple method to dry, at. Supplies: rubber Bands if not, put them into plastic zip-lock bags for two three. Is string or twine and paper bags ( optional ) 3 – 5 of... Herbs with smaller leaves, such as thyme, can be laid out on or... Blanch the leaves are two or three days you are willing and obedient, you ’ ll have lot! Out on newspaper or on a surface in a warm, dry, not on your part ) exposure well. Microwaves work by agitating the water molecules in whatever is inside the oven and check one (! On Proverbial Homemaker today, you can cut near the soil and get bundles in handful sizes get... And Oliv… air drying your basil bundles made, you can cut near the soil and get in... Gratifying, this homesteading thing is not easy an easy way to dry not... The dust off three days generally dry my basil and Oliv… air drying basil... Bags up it around ( my toddler LOVES doing this ) one of our links... From farm to table is a good way to dry, well-ventilated room you need is basil of... Low humidity and warm temperatures start by cutting fresh basil you will need just a few ventilation holes your! Dry area that doesn ’ t know which one is better, but it is a bad idea not! Destroys the nutritional value 3 – 5 stems of the leaves as down... Bad to break down the oils lunch bag to ensure that air can circulate and!

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