How do you dry fresh basil and other herbs?

Answer 1

Most herbs are easy to dry, but some like basil aren't worth it. Basils amazing smell and taste come from volatile oils which disappear with drying leaving you with nothing. A better way is to make flavored oil or vinegar. RScott

Answer 2

hi:
There are several different ways to dry basil and other herbs.

The first step is to water the roots and mist the leaves an hour before you cut the leaves or branches.
Always cut the branches at an angle so you don't damage the rest of the plant.
Pat dry the leaves of basil.
You can get an old screen and set up some boards or two saw horses. Arrange the basil on the screen and leave in a dark warm area. A garage is a great place. Dry the basil for at least a week. You can also tie a bunch together and hang upside down for a week to ten days.
Take a look at my website and there is a detailed article on drying and preserving herbs. Also take a look at the different articles in Landscape Articles on making herb vinegars, cooking with herbs, and growing from seeds. I hope this helped some and if you need any other advice, feel free to contact me.
Kimberly
http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Herbs.html

Answer 3

There are many ways to preserve fresh herbs. As rscott stated the flavor and aroma are from the volatile oils contained in the leaves and many lose much of their constituent oils in the drying process. Bundling herbs slows the drying process by inhibiting air flow around the closely held leaves and stems allowing the essential volatile oils to degrade. Heat will evaporate those oils leaving a poor product in the end.
I recommend making a paste of fresh herb leaves using a blender and just enough olive oil to make the leaves spin in the blender. Store the resulting paste in freezer jars or baggies until needed. You may also place the paste in ice cube trays and freeze for measured amounts of herbs ready to be used. Pop out of trays when frozen and seal in an air tight container in the freezer.

Answer 4

Fresh Basil you can wash and pat dry the leaves , then pack them one leaf on top of the other and place them in a zip-loc bag for future use. It is better that way than dried. If you really want them dried, then hang the whole stem upside down in a shady protected area with good air circulation till dried, then pick the leaves off and store in an air tight container. You can also make fresh pesto and freeze that too.

Answer 5

you will use much less yet positioned it interior the pot beforehand. So i might use 2 T, for the reason that i like basil, and positioned it in as quickly because of the fact the soup or dish starts getting the intense drinks extra.

Answer 6

The easiest way is to just bundle them up and hang them somewhere cool and dry and let nature take it's course.