I love using fresh herbs when I have them but in the long winters, with no plants in sight, grocery store herbs are the easy option. It's important to keep the temperature below 100 degrees because high temperatures cause flavor loss. If you're planning on using a dehydrator, the branches will also hold tiny leaves, like that of the thyme plant, from falling through the drying racks. 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. This is my drying area - right above my desk area so that I can keep an eye on them all the time! If you have a dehydrator then this can be used for drying thyme, however it is not necessary. There was a brief period of time I was drying herbs in my car, but as you’ll read in 21 Gardening Hacks, there were a couple of flaws to this concept. The best way to dry thyme. You’ll know the herbs are done when they are crispy and crumbly to the touch. Dehydrator drying is a fast and easy way to dry high quality herbs because temperature and air circulation can be controlled. Drying thyme: the most important things in brief Whether in the air, in a dehydrator or in the microwave: thyme can be dried in various ways. Wash the thyme by running it under cool water. If you don't have a dehydrator to dry herbs, you can opt for air drying. When you dry fresh herbs in a dehydrator, you can control the temperature and therefore preserve the herb’s medicinal and flavor qualities. Why a Dehydrator? How to Dehydrate Rosemary. Preheat the dehydrator between 95 F. (35 C.) to 115 F. (46 C.) or slightly higher for more humid areas. Larger leaves, like basil and parsley, can take up to 2 weeks. We set our Excalibur dehydrator to the “herbs” setting, around 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Here are a few guidelines for different methods: Dehydrator: Herbs dry quickly in a dehydrator and will produce high quality herbs. Air Fryers That Are Good At Dehydrating Food. View our disclosure. If your dehydrator does not have a thermostat option, use the shortest period of time possible and check on the herbs often. Before we discuss the steps to drying herbs, let’s take a step back and talk about what a dehydrator is and why using one makes sense. Tip. Tuck the tray(s) of basil into the oven or dehydrator. Also, help answer other questions about Herbs and Thyme Plants, and plants at GardeningKnowHow.com It is important for the ginger to be completely dry before storing or grinding because any residual moisture could cause mold. Rinse and dry the sprigs. Place the leaves in a microwaveable container and replace the lid. Are you looking for information on how to dry fresh herbs using a dehydrator? Depending on your dehydrator, your sage may take 1 to 4 hours to dry. Small leafed herbs like thyme, oregano and rosemary will take about a week to dry out completely. Another fast, easy, and effective way how to dry herbs is to dry herbs using an electric dehydrator. Herbs dry in the oven. Once the sprigs are rinsed, lay them on a clean towel until they don't have any moisture on their surface. Using a Food Dehydrator. Instructions. If you don't have a dehydrator and need that dried rosemary faster, you can bake the rinsed and dried rosemary sprigs on a super-low heat to dry them out. Dry in the dehydrator, set to 95 degrees F, for at least 4-5 hours or until fully dried. Please note the following points: Harvest the shoots late in the morning before flowering. If you don’t have a dehydrator, there are two basic methods for drying thyme: Dry between sheets of paper or parchment; Dry hanging bunches; 1.How to dry thyme on paper . Thyme will take about 2-3 weeks to become completely dry, but the exact time frame will depend on the conditions and humidity level. Such is life these days, that we always looking for the easiest and fastest way to get stuff. f. Buying herbs always leaves me with sticker shock, so I try to grow as many of my own as I can. You can save the seeds and plant again or let it continue to grow and harvest each time you need to replenish your stash. This is a preferred method by many because the herbs tend to keep their color better. With the thyme, remove the leaves from the stems. If you don’t store your dry leaves, flowers, and seeds properly, all of that hard work can be lost. After 1 to 2 weeks, once … This post may contain affiliate links. You can crush the dried leaves in a container and sprinkle them on dishes for the flavor. Set your dehydrator to 95 degrees and the time for 18 hours. Dry in dehydrator on herb setting for 1-4 hours. Jun 14, 2018 - Follow these simple steps to dry fresh herbs in a dehydrator, so you can use them throughout the year. Yes, it works, but no, it’s not wise. They will be done when they are completely dry and crumbly. Store the herb bags in a dry cupboard for several months. Remove yellow leaves and dirt, but do not wash the shoots. Help answer a question about How long do I dry thyme in a dehydrator? Read the instructions that came with your dehydrator to see if it recommends a time. After it has cooled, check it again to be sure it is completely dry. Hang Drying: A traditional air-drying method, which involves bundling together pruned and cleaned fresh thyme using a string, twine, or rubber band. Once the ginger is dry, remove it from the oven or dehydrator, and let it cool. In areas with higher humidity, temperatures as high as 125°F may be needed. You can also use a food dehydrator to dry your thyme more quickly. Thyme likes a sunny position in well drained soil and is perfect for rockeries and borders as it has a creeping habit. Herbs like basil, chives and mint contain more moisture and it's best to dry them in a dehydrator or oven. Check the eaves and repeat the process. (Note: photo at top of page shows herbs dried using this method). If they aren’t dry, they may mold. Drying thyme in the microwave. Plants like basil, oregano, mint, and thyme should be cut to include branches so that if you decide to use the simple air-dry method, you can tie the branches together and hang them. Dry on the Lowest Setting Possible . Buying dry herbs from the grocery store always bugged me. Place your herbs on the dehydrator racks that came with your dehydrator. Nov 14, 2018 - Follow these simple steps to dry fresh herbs in a dehydrator, so you can use them throughout the year. For the best flavor, dry herbs on the lowest setting possible. Remove large herb leaves (such as sage, basil, and mint) and place in the dehydrator. Dry Herbs Using an Electric Dehydrator. The length of time will depend on the type and size of the leaves (e.g., sage leaves take much longer than thyme sprigs). 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