Drying herbs without a dehydrator
Herbs have been dried the same way for as long as there have been kitchens with beams: small bundles, good air, and patience. No machine improves on it much.
- Cut in the morning
- after the dew, before the heat
- Small bundles
- five or six stems — thick bundles molder
- Tie with twine
- stems shrink as they dry; wrap twice
- Hang upside down
- somewhere airy, out of direct sun
- Wait about ten days
- leaves should snap, not bend
- Strip and jar
- whole leaves into dark jars — crush at the cup
Lavender, sage, thyme, rosemary and mint all take to this beautifully. Basil and lemon balm bruise — dry them fastest, in the airiest spot you have.
Keep this one — and get early access.
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Steepie shares traditional and educational information about herbs and home rituals. It isn’t medical advice, and it’s no substitute for a professional when one is needed.