Hi. Does anyone know how to dry and preserve fresh spearmint? Thanks!!?

Answer 1

YOU CAN SLOWLY DRY IT IN THE OVEN-----LAY ON A COOKIE SHEET-----PUT IN THE OVEN OVER NIGHT AT 225*----IF NOT DRY IN THE MORNING LEAVE IT IN UNTIL IT IS---YOU CAN DO QUITE ALOT THIS WAY

AB

Answer 2

yes,but spearmint is too strong and astringint for palatability(consumption),grow common mint or try the new hybrids,chocolate mint,pineapplemint,etc.spearmint has fuzzy leaves,others are smooth,buds are bitter though.unlike other herbs the best part abt mint is the aroma,so,,, i lay the leaves on a cookie sheet and freeze them till they are all freezer burnt(moisture free)also known as freeze dried,then i put them in a jar w/ a few pounds of sugar and wait a week or two. then use the sugar in tea or coffee or dusting on baked items.then when baking i sift out the leaves and make caramel,whipp cream,pudding,frosting,bakery,whatever!sift leaves out so they don't burn.or put a few sprigs into a simple syrup recepe and strain,lasts a long time,cook 1C. sugar with 3/4C fresh lemon or lime juice and a few mint sprigs,boil for 4-5 min till sugar dissolves,strain,and chill.be careful boiling sugar gets very hot, so no fingers!fill a pitcher or glass with ice and water,and syrup to taste,instant minted lemon or lime-aid

Answer 3

use a rubberband to secure the stems together, then find a hot dry place to hang them. allow to dry.

or option two, which i suggest:
Take a brown paperbag and secure the stems with a rubberband place the spearmint in the bag and place in a hot dry place. use a rubberband or just close the bag well. I suggest the bag because earwigs are big fans of drying and dead leaves.

Answer 4

You can air dry it, by tying bunches together and hanging it upside down in a dry room, but hang it so that the air circulates all around it. You can dry it in a dehydrator or in an oven set on warm, and as low as you can get it, put it on racks set on cookie sheets.
I was told that you can put it in a jar with a tight fitting lid and put it in the freezer, but I have never tried that one.
I usually use my dehydrator.

Answer 5

tie it together in small bunches, hang upside down. in a warm but dark area. that or purchase a small dehydrator. remove leaves from stems before drying.

Answer 6

This link will show you everything you need to know.

http://www.gardenherbs.org/preserving_herbs.htm