Harvesting and Storing Herbs
There are many awesome ways to preserve the herbs from your garden. At Affordable, we dig these methods:
Freezing Method
Freezing fresh herbs is useful for parsley and tarragon, as the other methods of drying them dramatically reduce their flavor.
Pick herbs, rinse and pat dry. Place a bunch in a freezer zip-lock bag. Clip as needed in soups, stews, roast, etc.
Another method is to chop and place herbs in an ice cube tray in water and freeze. After the cubes are frozen, place them in a freezer bag and use as needed.
Air Drying Method
Air-drying is the most common method of preserving herbs.
Hang in loose bunches at room temperature out of sunlight, or place on a screen or on a tray with a paper towel.
Make sure the herbs are completely dry, about 7 to 10 days, before storing or they will mold. Store herbs in an airtight container.
Herbs may be stored whole in the container and crumbled as needed or crumbled and placed in zip lock bags or jars with lids in a cupboard. Make sure jars are tightly closed. Light exposure will reduce flavor over time.
Heat Method
Another approach is to use artificial heat such as oven heat. Place herbs on a cooking tray and set your oven at the lowest temperature for several hours.
The other approach is to place herbs in a microwave at low power until herbs are dry. You may even use a dehydrator.
Whichever method you choose, you will enjoy the wonderful flavors from your herb garden for months to come!