Herb Drying Preparation Question

[Jennifer]

Can't seem to find the answer to this anywhere.

I have winter thyme, italian flat leaf parsley, and basil, and if I am drying them should I wash the herbs before beginning the drying process?

I have a test batch drying out in the fridge right now in a paper bag (per the post here by Lesa!) and one small one on the counter in a bag to see the difference (both should be ready in a few days). I washed both of those out of safety, but I am wondering do other people do it as it never seems to be mentioned as a step?

Thanks!

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

if you do wash them make sure to pat them as dry as possible so no mold could grow on them.

 

[Jennifer]

I think I did, but I will find out if I did a good enough job in a few more days of dry patting them before I put them up to dry.

I guess I am mostly asking is it recommended to wash first? Or not to wash?

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

i prefer it since we have a lot of sand and soil that tends to splash up onto the herbs and i don't like the thought of biting into a stone or grit while eating food prepared with it.

 

[lesa]

I do not wash before drying. I am just afraid of too much moisture. I do let them sit on the counter for awhile (an hour or so) just in case there are any little buggies in there! Good luck!

 

[freemotion]

I grow most of my cooking and flavoring herbs and I wash everything before drying, freezing, fermenting, or making extracts, etc. I pick into a five gallon pail and run water from the hose into it with a drop of Dawn to break the water tension and let it soak to get the bugs out before bringing it into the house. I give it a good rinsing with the hose, drain it, then bring it in for processing.

For the best flavor you want to get it dried as quickly as you can. I spin it in the salad spinner. A pillowcase filled with herbs and spun vigorously over your head (outside!) will work, too. Then I take the time to remove the leaves from the stems....or at least remove the thickest stems. I spread the leaves out on a plastic crate (the type that hold soda cans for shipping and loading into machines) lined with tulle....a window screen would work, or a low cardboard box lined with paper towels or a smooth dishtowel. Put it them in the back seat of the car and park it in the sun for the day with a tiny opening in two windows to create air flow.

They are usually dry in a day, maybe two depending on the dewpoint. I often finish them up in my little dehydrator.

Stored in glass jars with tight lids, the flavor will last a long time, especially if the leaf is left whole and only crushed when it is time to use it. I use the bail-type canning jars with rubber rings to store them and hang a tag on the wire bail. They look so pretty in my upper cupboards.

 

[calendula]

Unless I can visibly see dirt on my herbs, I do not wash them. The best time to pick for drying is mid-morning, after the dew has had a chance to evaporate.

ETA: Washing the herbs (in some hard-core herbarists' opinions ) removes some of the herbs essential oils, decreasing flavor, scent, and beneficial herbal properties. Also, if they are still too damp from washing, they can mold while drying.

 

[Jennifer]

Well the parsley I had lying out in a brown bag is dry and I put it up, but it does not have a strong smell, so I hope it's still flavorful.

The thyme was *especially* fragrant and looked good so I also put it up since it's done drying (I can still smell it on my fingers mmm). The other parsley I had in the fridge is fragrant but not totally dry yet, I think I am going to leave it out on the counter in the bag for a couple more days or put it back in the fridge to finish.

My basil on the other hand though ... on a few leaves there are some bright green patches toward the tips. I KNOW these were not there before I put them in the bag in the fridge to dry. Is this mold? Should I toss out the whole batch and try again (in this case I will not wash)? Or should I just go right for the freezing/ice cube trays method?

pics of the basil:

Any help is appreciated!!

 

[NwMtGardener]

I dont' think I would throw that basil out just yet...it's hard to tell, since I'm not looking at it in person, but I don't see anything I would call mold. And really, if ya stick it back in the fridge, and a few days later you realize it IS mold, it's just kinda gross, no real harm done!! I also don't think I would freeze it in the ice cube trays, just IN CASE it is mold. But I think it's gonna be okay Positive thoughts!

 

[NwMtGardener]

Jennifer, how's your basil look now?? I'm headed out to pick some for the bag/fridge method right now