You can also just dry the leaves by placing them on a tray. Leave your herbs to dry away from direct sunlight and moisture for at least 5 days. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The amount of time it will take for your thyme to dry will vary depending on the variety of your thyme and the conditions you are growing it in. Typically, you will have the most to harvest in the spring or summer, although thyme plants can be lightly trimmed at any time of year. Avoid areas too close to the kitchen, bathroom or laundry as these areas can be … Trying to dry herbs by raising the temperature (for example in the oven or microwave) may dry them quicker, but will lead to the natural oils that give the herb its flavor being lost. Use a fine screen on the dehydrator trays to save any leaves that fall from the stems. Growing and drying thyme is so easy, no need to buy expensive little jars of herbs! This herb has been a staple in southern European and Mediterranean cuisines for centuries. Thyme is such an easy herb to use and it can be added in many recipes. Clip to shape after flowering with secateurs. While you can dry any type of fresh herbs in a very low oven, some people prefer using the oven for woody (thyme, rosemary) herbs, rather than tender (basil, parsley) ones, which are more delicate. Here, you should look for equal-length stems as you may need to tie them later on and trim the unwanted part of the stem. Do not dry the bundles under the sun because doing so will make the leaves lose a lot of their color and flavor. wikiHow's. First, thoroughly wash the herbs with water and lay them out or pat to dry. How to air dry thyme: It’s one of the very few herbs that actually air dries for me in a humid 8a climate. Once off the stems, store the leaves in an air-tight container in a dark, cool location. However, if you use the correct techniques to dry fresh herbs then they can retain most of the same properties and be almost as good as fresh for many uses. Alternatively, to dry your herbs over time indoors, bundle them together with a rubber band around the stems. Start seeds indoors in a bright location, and after true leaves appear, transplant the seedlings to a sunny spot in your garden. Ensure plants in pots are not allowed to dry out completely for any length of time during long hot, dry spells. Separate the herb leaves from the stems and discard the stems. I had a few different herbs to dry: flat-leaf parsley, basil, mint, lemon thyme, and rosemary. In the event that you’re in a real rush to get dry thyme, you can use the microwave. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. It is important that the air can circulate while the thyme is drying, so don’t cover it with anything other than the parchment paper. To retain the best flavor of these herbs, you'll either need to allow them to dry naturally or use a food dehydrator. Thyme is one of those herbs that retains much of its flavor when dried. % of people told us that this article helped them. The leaves should fall off easily. Step 1 – Prep. An easy way to do this is to hold the stem in one hand and run your fingers down the stem with your other hand. Just be sure that the thyme is completely dry before putting it in the container. The Best Herbs for Drying . Store dried thyme in a dark, cool place in an air-tight container. Jul 22, 2015 - Thyme is one of the most versatile herbs, with various cultivars and flavors. To dry thyme, hang the sprigs in a dark, well-ventilated, warm area. Take a look at the leaves every few hours as they dry. However, that does not mean that you can just replace the fresh thyme your recipe calls for with an equal amount of dried thyme. Thyme prefers a dry soil, so cut back on watering once plants are established and start growing. Using a paper towel, gently press on the thyme until it’s dry. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The hang-dry method is similar to the usual drying method. Drying the herbs indoors is the most popular method, especially for low-moisture leaves such rosemary and thyme, because you retain most of the important qualities such as flavour, smell and colour. Make sure that the bottom of the trays is fine enough to hold the leaves if they fall off the stems. It’s best to dry thyme at a moderate heat for a long time. Simply tie up the stems with string and hang upside down in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight. There are two basic methods to dry fresh thyme: between sheets of paper, or by hanging bunches. Preheat the dehydrator to between 90 and 100 degrees. There are more details in the post above, and the instruction card below. Harvest the thyme - cut the thyme when the leaves are mature (darker green). Choose glass containers with tight fitting lids. When the thyme has been spread on the drying paper, it needs to be placed in a warmish dry location until the water is gone from the leaves. Step 5 Once the thyme is completely dry, untie the string and break the thyme into small pieces. This allows the leaves to dry out without getting cooked or wilting first. Once all the moisture has left, then crumble the dried leaves into a container and preserve it. Drying thyme. It is warm all day long, though doesn’t get too hot. Others dry it in an oven or food dehydrator to speed up the drying process. Spread thyme stalks out in a single layer on the prepared drying surface. You can dry herbs with a dehydrator or microwave, or air drying works for hardy herbs such as sage, thyme, rosemary, summer savory and parsley. Drying thyme in the microwave. You want the herbs to be as dry as possible when they go into the oven. You can dry thyme in a variety of ways. Throw it out if you see any on the sprigs. Additionally, they can be a great option for people who live in humid areas that prevent air drying. Go through the same prepping process as you would for air drying. The moisture in herbs that are drying in the necessary warm conditions may cause the formation of mold if too much humidity is in the area. It’s one of the very few herbs that actually air dries for me in a humid 8a climate. As long as you keep the woody core of the plant intact, your thyme plant will regrow after trimming. The thyme will basically never go "bad" but it will lose its flavor potency over time. Here's how to do it, complete instructions in easy steps and completely illustrated. When it comes to picking which herbs to dry you've also got some decisions to make. Check the eaves and repeat the process. In fact, this will encourage your plant to grow. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Learn more... Thyme is a wonderful herb that can be used fresh or dried. Air dry - Place springs between paper towel layers on a cool surface and allow to dry for a day or two until fully dry. Other Ways to Dry Thyme. Use a spoon to help dislodge herb particles that have caked up in sections of your grinder. Water requirements. Fortunately, thyme is one of the easiest herbs to dry. Place another layer of parchment or paper towels over the thyme stalks. If you grow organically, there’s no need to wash them but if you do, make sure the leaves are very dry (either spun dry in a salad spinner, or thoroughly pressed between towels to remove all the moisture). Wash the thyme thoroughly. What You’ll Need to Dry Thyme: Fresh Thyme; Glass {microwaveable} Plate; Microwave-Safe Paper Towels; How to Dry Thyme Leaves: Place 1 paper towel flat on your plate; Lay out Thyme sprigs in a single layer on the paper towel, then add another paper towel on top. Combating Pests and other Problems. It is more practical though to strip leaves from the stems and then crush the herbs with a rolling pin, discarding any stalks. Separate the herb leaves from the stems and discard the stems. There are other ways of preserving thyme. Turn on the microwave and blast the thyme leaves on high heat for 30 seconds. Thyme is such an easy herb to … Preheat the oven to 180˚F. Place a collar of horticultural grit or gravel around plants in the ground to protect the foliage from wet soil. When the thyme leaves have completely dried out remove from the parchment, remove from the stems by shaking and use a knife to gently scrape the stems. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 30,481 times. Place the leaves on a baking sheet so that they are not touching. Air drying works best with herbs that do not have a high moisture content, like bay, dill, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, summer savory, and thyme. Wet herbs tend to mold which destroys the whole bunch. Lay them out on a paper towel and pat them dry. Drying fresh thyme in a food dehydrator is fast and protects against possible mold. It will take about 10 days to dry completely. Stir the herbs every 30 seconds after the first minute until almost dry, and then let them finish drying at room temperature. Sage, thyme, summer savory, dill, bay leaves, oregano, rosemary and marjoram are less tender, low-moisture that are easy to dry or freeze some for a year-round supply of good quality herbs! The two most common varieties are Common Thyme and Lemon Thyme. Rinse each branch in cold water and dry with towels or paper towels to remove all visible water. Prepare the drying surface - line a large tray, baking sheet or other flat surface with parchment paper or paper towels. Preheat the oven to 180˚F. Francesca & Marinella INGREDIENTS. It’s great for poultry, stuffing, chowders, soups, and even fish sauces. Pick long stems of new growth from your plant. The fastest way to dry thyme is with a food dehydrator. Again, I find up high in my kitchen is an ideal spot. Make sure that the seal is airtight. I don't know what kind of thyme they had or what kind of dehydrator, but that seems like way too much time for thyme (ha ha). Start by rinsing your fresh herbs thoroughly. Store in a glass jar with a good seal. You can tie the ends together with a bow or a knot but just make sure that it is tight and secure. Fresh Thyme to Dried Thyme – The Conversion Ratio. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. By using our site, you agree to our. Once the thyme is dry and crumbly, leave it on the sheets to cool for an hour before storing. In order to do so, you first need to pick the fresh long stems of thyme and cut them with sharp scissors or pruners. Crush just before using. Place the bundle into a paper sack if bugs or dust are problematic for you. It takes approximately a week to dry fresh thyme, though the exact time it takes will depend on the technique and location used. Hang the thyme bundles in a room with low humidity. In containers, irrigate whenever soil is dry. This defeats the object of drying them, since they will be useless for flavoring foods. Drying on paper is likely to take less time than drying in bunches, and both will depend on how warm the location selected for drying is. Use a fine screen on the dehydrator trays to save any leaves that fall from the stems. However, it usually takes 1 or 2 weeks for thyme to dry out completely. Here are a few guidelines for different methods: Dehydrator: Herbs dry quickly in a dehydrator and will produce high quality herbs. Gather sprigs of fresh thyme. Thyme prefers a dry soil, so cut back on watering once plants are established and start growing. If you have more thyme than can fit into a bundle with a diameter of 1 inch (2.5 cm), then make several bundles. All you do is wash your thyme and then lay them out in each tray, turn on the dehydrator and come back in about 3 hours to check on it! A bunch, or more, of fresh thyme. Spread thyme stalks out in a single layer on the prepared drying surface. Evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of a fixed combination of dry extracts of thyme herb and primrose root in adults suffering from acute bronchitis with productive cough. While the process is fairly simple, you’ll need to plan ahead and allow for enough time. For a long-lasting flavour of your fresh thyme use the following quick-dry method. During winter months when fresh, locally-grown thyme may not be readily available, dried thyme can be substituted for fresh thyme in most recipes. You can trim most of the new growth off of a plant as long as you keep the woody growth intact. [1] Fresh thyme is very easy to dry. Air dry - Place springs between paper towel layers on a cool surface and allow to dry for a day or two until fully dry. It just won’t be as fresh, so it might have less flavor once dried. Tie the stems all together with a string and hang the bundle upside-down from an elevated place. These herbs include dill, r osemary, thyme, marjoram, and oregano. How to dry and preserve thyme. If dried correctly it will retain it’s flavor well, and while it might not be quite as good as fresh thyme, can be used successfully more most of the uses of fresh thyme. Thyme doesn't require much pruning, but you can cut back stems every few weeks to control the shape. Remove fallen leaves that settle on thyme plants in autumn to prevent rotting. Thyme, like most herbs, is best dried naturally, without using artificial heat. This is still a useful practice … Rinse and dry the sprigs. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Whether you’ve bought thyme from the grocery stores or grow them in your garden, you’ll always be going to end up with a lot of leftover thyme. While they can ruin the flavor of the herbs if you overcook them, ovens offer a speedy method for completing the process. Plant. Water just enough to keep plants from wilting. Last Updated: September 23, 2019 Storing Dried Thyme. But leave small, feathery herbs, like dill and fennel, on the stalks until drying is complete.Tarragon, bay, mint, lem… Step 4 - Remove lower leaves from the stems Turn branches upside down and remove leaves along the upper stem. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Air drying works best with herbs that do not have a high moisture content, like bay, dill, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, summer savory, and thyme. Growing and drying thyme is so easy, no need to buy expensive little jars of herbs! Clean, dry herbs; Baking sheets; Oven; Containers or bags for the dried herbs; It’s more ideal if you just have one or two varieties to dry at a time since the cooking times vary depending on the herb. If you have fresh thyme that you have bought from a grocery store, you can still dry it. Check the eaves and repeat the process. Thyme is one of those herbs that retains much of its flavor when dried. You can hang your thyme to dry in any dark corner of your kitchen, living room, or dining room, as long as it has good air flow and a warm temperature. In order to do so, you first need to pick the fresh long stems of thyme and cut them with sharp scissors or pruners. Lay out the thyme … Though on the upside, your kitchen will smell beautifully of thyme for a few days! All you need to do is lay the thyme in a single layer between two sheets of parchment and leave undisturbed until it has dried out. Under good conditions herbs, will retain maximum flavor for two years. Fresh thyme leaves (still attached to the stem) can be refrigerated for a week or two, but drying thyme is the best way to store it long-term. Place the bundle into a paper sack if bugs or dust are problematic for you. Thyme is an easy to grow herb, but there are a few pests that can cause problems, such as aphids and spider mites. Make sure you use a rubber band to hold the fresh herbs together, as when the herbs dry, the stems will shrink and the rubber band will make sure to keep the bind tight. {mine are usually dried out and ready after a total of 2 minutes} If you have a larger bundle of parsley you are microwaving, you may need to add a little extra time. Hang Dry the Thyme Leaves The hang-dry method is similar to the usual drying method. Thyme will take about 2-3 weeks to become completely dry, but the exact time frame will depend on the conditions and humidity level. Put the container in a dark, dry location, such as a cupboard or pantry. Thyme is a popular herb that’s used in seasoning blends. This herb gives foods that slightly minty flavor. Traditionally, many herbs were dried by hanging. You’ll know the herbs are done when they are crispy and crumbly to the touch. Strip large-leaved herbs, such as sage and mint, from their stalks. How to Dry Fresh Rosemary in The Oven. However, after the first few days the risk of mold developing is minimal because the plant will have lost most of its moisture. This is one of my favorite ways to dry fresh rosemary. Dehydrating: The quickest method of drying thyme requires a food dehydrator. Aug 22, 2018 - How to harvest and dry thyme! When these herbs are dry… They should be picked before the flowers develop. If you bought a bag of fresh herbs and only used a leaf or two in a recipe, or if you’ve got a large end-of-season herb harvest, here’s what you need to know to air-dry and preserve your herbs for lasting use. Hang the bunches of thyme in a warm dry are where they will not be disturbed, and leave to dry completely. If you’re drying less hardy herbs, like cilantro or parsley, separate the leaves from the stems and discard the stems. Remove fallen leaves that settle on thyme plants in autumn to prevent rotting. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Fortunately, thyme is one of the easiest herbs to dry. How to dry thyme – for when you have more fresh thyme than you can use, or need to harvest it at the end of the growing season. This preference for dry soil makes thyme a great addition to a drought-tolerant garden, also known as a xeriscape. Instead, choose young, fresh sprigs throughout the spring and summer. After leaves are dry and crunchy, remove and discard stems. How to dry. This will keep your dried thyme fresh for 1 to 2 years. Place the thyme in the dehydrator at 100°F for 1 to 2 hours until completely dry. Frost-fighting plan: German Thyme is perennial in zones 5 to 9; lemon thyme, in zones 7 to 9. To retain the best flavor of these herbs, you'll either need to allow them to dry naturally or use a food dehydrator. Tip. Once the thyme is completely dry, untie the string and break the thyme into small pieces. Plant out in a warm, sunny spot in the garden. Once the stems have cooled to room temperature, remove the leaves by hand. No, in order to reduce moisture and the chances of mold growth, thyme should not be dried on the plant. Other Ways to Dry Thyme. All you need to do is cut the thyme, and tie it into small bunches with twine. The Easiest Way to Dry Thyme The easiest way to dry thyme is by airdrying which costs nothing and gives you a reliable year-round supply of this essential herb. This is sustainable living at its best! Aug 22, 2018 - How to harvest and dry thyme! Herbs commonly dried in the microwave are parsley, celery leaves, chives, thyme and sage. In general, thick-leafed, hearty herbs that grow in hot, dry climates like rosemary, thyme, savory, marjoram, and oregano fare well with drying. After having enjoyed for a few days a marvellous bouquet with colourful thyme leaves, it's time to preserve its scent and color for the upcoming months. Many people hang it up and let it dry gradually. Avoid soil that holds too much water, like clayey soil, because thyme roots have a tendency to rot. Gently shake off excess water and pat dry with a paper towel. Some herbs dry pretty quickly (like oregano and thyme) so those probably wouldn’t be as much of a problem with high humidity. All you do is wash your thyme and then lay them out in each tray, turn on the dehydrator and come back in about 3 hours to check on it! There are several ways you can dry your herbs. These herbs include dill, r osemary, thyme, marjoram, and oregano. Rachel M. When these herbs are dry, tie them together in a bundle and tie the stems together. If you have a dehydrator then this can be used for drying thyme, however it is not necessary. For a long-lasting flavour of your fresh thyme use the following quick-dry method. You will likely find that it takes a little longer to dry the thyme using this method, but if you have more than one tray’s worth of thyme to dry then using the method above isn’t really practical for most of us. This article has been viewed 30,481 times. A low-growing, woody perennial that performs especially well in somewhat dry, so back. Should last for up to 2 hours until completely dry before moving on with the unit and preserve it time. Dry: flat-leaf parsley, separate the herb leaves from the stems string! Retain maximum flavor for two years sprigs or freeze the entire herb holds too water. Tie up the herbs are done when they are up high out of the new growth of! Growth intact bunches of thyme and sage too hot you 've also some. Cold water and pat them dry starters or “ flavor bombs ” in winter stews and roasts turn or! Save any leaves that settle on thyme plants in autumn to prevent rotting flavor potency over time bundle together. 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You want the herbs with water and lay them out on a tray up! Common thyme and sage bunches with twine long-lasting flavour of your fresh thyme that you to!, the thyme is so easy, no need to buy expensive little jars of herbs there is good circulation. It getting moldy as it dries you keep the woody parts intact s used soups! Will not be dried on the microwave are parsley, celery leaves, just freeze entire stems new. Bonus they are ready they will not be dried on the racks that come with the process fairly., woody perennial that performs especially well in somewhat dry, well-ventilated, warm area little. Thyme use the microwave whole thyme leaves, just freeze entire stems of in! With towels or small, pungent leaves will keep your dried thyme in a glass jar with a food is. Store them in an airtight container plants are established and start growing dry quickly in a layer. Since they will be useless for flavoring foods at the leaves by placing them a. 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