Oregano should have a deep, green color when you dry it. Some herbs and salads such as coriander, wild rocket and cress may be ready to harvest within a few days of sowing, while others may take a few weeks. You may also remove a lot of the flavors by overheating it. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Trial and experiment is the best way to find out which herbs dry best for you, with the expectation that some herbs will shrivel up and look like a brown mess when dried, while others will retain color and texture well. Cover a microwave-safe plate with a paper towel. The paper bag will protect your leaves from dust. If you don’t already have a dehydrator, they can be kind of expensive. Make sure the herbs are squeaky clean first. Oregano contains antioxidants. Harvest oregano leaves before the plants have flowered so you can dry them while they’re fresh and lock in all the flavors. Be sure to hang the oregano away from direct sunlight, as this can affect both the flavor, and the drying process itself. Remove this unwanted material until only dried oregano leaves remain, and toss the unwanted bits away. You can even use a rubber band to keep your bunch together. Place in the oven for 1 hour. How to Dry Fresh Basil in the Oven. Haven’t got a dehydrator? You’ll want to make your cuts right above growth nodes, which are the little roundish nodules you’ll see on the stems. If any leaves haven’t dried yet, leave them in the dehydrator and check them every few hours until the process is complete. Before hanging them, use a bit of extra twine or string to secure a paper bag over each bunch, and cut a few slits or notches into every bag. It’s the best way to ensure that your stalks are completely dry while maintaining their flavors. Place a perforated paper bag around the herbs to catch the bits of leaves as they fall and to keep dirt and dust off. Gather 5-7 stems of oregano and tie together with kitchen string. When oregano is dry, the leaves will be a little paler and crumble easily in your palm. I devote its use entirely to drying herbs. Harvest on warm, dry mornings after the dew has evaporated. If you have a moisture setting, set it to the lowest setting available. First, cut a string around 12 to 18 inches long. Thank you.". This is the fastest method, but it’s undoubtedly the riskiest. Drying is essential because it improves the texture and flavor of oregano. The dried herb you get from the grocery store, however, may already be several weeks or even months old before it hits your plate. Drying Leaves on Trays. Oregano isn’t just for pizza! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If your protective screen isn’t built into your trays, place one underneath the leaves on the bottom tray when you’re laying them out. Drying oregano in the food dehydrator. Allow time between each burst of … Lemon verbena, which dries particularly well, takes one or two minutes on the lowest oven setting. Throw the stems on top of a woodstove, and they’ll fill your home with a wonderful, woodsy scent. Using an oven or direct sunlight to dry oregano leaves is never a good idea, as this results in uneven drying and can also bleach color out of the leaves. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. It can be a good idea to leave the oven door ajar to avoid this happening - best of all use the plate warmer. Tested. If no moisture condenses in the jar, it’s dry. It takes just a few minutes!! By using our site, you agree to our. wikiHow's. Those cuts will allow air to get to the leaves, but the bag will prevent dust and debris from disturbing the herbs while they dry. Some herbs, such as oregano, sage and thyme, can be air-dried. That’s why I learned how to dry oregano that I grew in my own garden, and maximize the flavor this herb brings to every single bite. If you’re just learning how to dry oregano and other culinary herbs, this is one of the easiest and most hands-on approaches to try. You can use jute twine, butcher’s twine, or cotton string to wrap your herbs. You can do this directly in the sink, or use a colander. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Bunch of fresh basil (cleaned and dry) Clean glass jar (just use an empty herb or mason jar) Tight fitting lid for your jar. Any dehydrator can handle this task easily. Check your leaves after 24 hours to see how they’re progressing. Once your oregano leaves have dried thoroughly, you can remove them from their stems, since those spiky bits are quite inedible. To learn more, including how to prepare fresh oregano for drying, scroll down. That’s not a problem, though you’ll have to wait … Gather the herbs into a bundle with the cut stems facing the same way and use twist ties, wire, string, or rubber bands to tie the stems together. To wash your oregano, all you need to do is rinse the leaves gently in water to remove any mulch or dirt. Each plant should be at least 6 inches tall before you begin harvesting its leaves, and be sure to never pick more than 30 percent of the leaves off a single plant if you want it to remain healthy and continue to grow. When leaves are dry, remove them from their stems and store in an airtight jar. This method takes the longest, but it’s the traditional method for drying herbs out. As long as you follow safe storage procedures for your oregano, it will stay good in your cabinet for up to 6 months, without losing any of its flavor. Oregano has the best flavor just before the flower buds form. Turn your dehydrator off and remove the trays with an oven mitt to let them cool. Once all the leaves have been laid out carefully, place those trays back in the dehydrator and set it to the lowest setting. Find out how to use oregano, and who should avoid it. This is the simplest and most common method of drying herbs for tea. Explore. If you don’t have a lot of flat space or a bunch of trays to dry the oregano leaves, you still have another option: hang them up in bunches to air dry. There are two upsides to drying herbs in the microwave instead of the oven: It’s much faster, and it can preserve more of the herbs’ color (and flavor, according to some). We have a huge oregano patch in our front yard garden. To dry oregano in the oven, start by pulling off the oregano leaves from the stalks. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Food And Drink. Place in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. $6.50 $ 6. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You'll LOVE this simple little trick for How to Dry Oregano! When you’re checking on the leaves, use the stems to flip them over so each side has equal air exposure. If you want to check to see if they’re dry, put a single leaf in an airtight glass jar. Wrap the stalks in twine, tie it off, then attach the twine to a hook, hanger, or curtain rod. This encourages the plants to produce even more delicious leaves. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Strip large-leaved herbs, such as sage and mint, from their stalks. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If you’re lucky enough to have a food dehydrator, drying your oregano leaves will take very little effort. It’s actually a pretty simple process to dry the leaves, and once you know how to do it, you’re unlikely to buy old, flavorless dried herbs from the supermarket ever again. I use it as an all-around spice for all sorts of savory dishes, because it helps to bring out the natural flavor of everything from meats to veggies. Store dried leaves whole to retain their flavour. Always leave a little bit of the stem attached, because this makes the leaves much easier to handle throughout the drying process. OR, you can toss washed and dry oregano (no surface moisture) loosely into brown paper bags. The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. Basements are usually a poor choice since they tend to trap moisture in the room. You can also simply rip them off of the plant by hand. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Use of a salad spinner will remove excess water quicker so you can begin the drying process. Dehydrators can be simple or complicated, cheap or expensive, but for drying herbs it truly doesn’t matter what kind you have. Be careful though, if you heat your oregano for too long you can burn the leaves and ruin their flavors. Once the leaves have been detached from their stems, go through them to remove any bits of chaff, fluff, or extra stem bits that may have gotten into the mix. For Treating Menstrual Cramps: Pain-relieving properties of oregano make it perfect for women who … Take your oregano stalks and set them out on your kitchen counter. If it’s really warm in your home and the humidity is high, turn your dehydrator on to 125 °F (52 °C). If your stalks are dusty, have been eaten by bugs, or look kind of dirty, it’s a good idea to wash them. Use the microwave on high for 1minute and then in bursts of 30 seconds, moving the herbs around and checking dryness frequently. Microwave Drying. You can also use a rubber band if you don’t have any twine. If you keep them healthy and don’t deplete them all at once, their leaves will regrow and you can re-harvest up to three times a season. Oregano makes a tasty pesto that is easy to freeze in batches for winter use. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Water: Don’t overwater oregano. It’s a good idea to check the herbs once or twice a day to see how the process is moving along. The process itself is rather empowering, and the end result is amazing if you follow the steps precisely. Sarah from How I Pinch A Penny.com shows you her step by step tutorial on how she dries oregano. Here’s what you’ll need to do to dry your Oregano… Related: 15+ DIY Seasoning Recipes! You can use a 36–42 in (91–107 cm) length of twine and use the excess length to hang your herbs if you want to avoid using 2 separate lengths of twine. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Every spring before it goes to flower, my Little Helper and I harvest bunches of this fragrant herb. If you aren’t sure if the oregano is dry, put one leaf in a glass jar for 15 minutes. Spices Village Dried Oregano, All Natural Fresh Oregano Leaves from Turkey, Kosher, Gluten Free, Non GMO, Dry Herbs and Spices, Ground Pure Mediterranean Seasonings, Resealable Bulk Bag 1.8 Oz. Place them into airtight jars, … 21 Breathtakingly Beautiful Flowering Vines to Suit Every Site, DIY Safe Homemade Cleaners with 8 Garden Herbs, A Complete Morning Glory Growing Guide and 4 Varieties to Inspire You, Make an Extraordinary DIY Bridal Bouquet with Vegetables and Herbs, How to Create a Beautiful Tropical Garden in Your Own Backyard, Language of Flowers to Turn Your Garden into a Beautiful Poem, The Complete Guide to Growing 8 Elegant Alstroemeria Lilies, How to Grow Asparagus at Home for Delightful Perennial Harvests, 17 of the Most Popular Fast Growing Shade Trees for Your Yard. Remove any ratty leaves and spread the herbs out, stems and all, in a single layer across a baking sheet. It takes just a few minutes!! Remove any dried or browned leaves from your stalks. {SO much prettier than store bought herbs!} Don’t simply yank leaves off the stems, as this may do damage to both the parent plant and the leaves you’re harvesting. While it’s nice to picture your herbs hanging in your kitchen, this is actually the worst place to store your oregano. If you’re going to be drying herbs using this method frequently, you may wish to make a drying screen out of mesh, like mosquito screening, mounted on a wooden frame. You can punch a few holes in a paper bag and tie it up around the stems to catch any leaves that fall off as they dry. Those dried stems emite a pleasant scent when burned, and add a little bit of savory flavor to meats when used in smokers. Choose herbs for drying. To learn more, including how to prepare fresh oregano for drying, scroll down. For this method, it’s better to harvest longer stems that are covered in leaves, rather than individual leaves. Tip: If you have bigger trays, you can leave your leaves on the stalks. How To Dry Oregano, Traditional Method: Use your garden sheers and harvest entire stalks of oregano after the flowerbuds form, at the end of the summer season, early in the morning but after the dew of the night has dried. In fact, it’s better to skip washing them, since oregano retains moisture well and this will make the drying process take longer. These oregano bunches will need about a week to dry thoroughly. https://www.latimes.com/newsletters/topofthetimes/la-fo-herb11-2009mar11-story.html, https://www.four-h.purdue.edu/foods/Drying%20herbs%20frame1.htm, http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/2701/how-to-dry-herbs, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/oregano/drying-oregano.htm, https://brooklynfarmgirl.com/how-to-dry-oregano-in-1-hour/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. 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. In fact, the moisture may keep your leaves safe while they heat. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Discard these unhealthy or flavorless leaves. Cut branches in mid-morning. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It’s important to harvest herbs at the right time. If you dried your leaves on the stalk, you should be able to easily pull the leaves off of the stalk. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Leave some excess string at the end of each bundle, so it’s easy to hang them up. References This article has been viewed 247,504 times. Make a bouquet and tie it with kitchen twine or a soft string. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Did you enjoy this simple tutorial for how to dry oregano from your own garden? Put those trays in a warm room where they won’t be disturbed, and let them sit for several days so the oregano can air dry naturally. Tip: If you’re using this method, you don’t need to blot your oregano dry with paper towels after washing it. The dried leaves will fall away from the stems very easily, so make sure you have something to catch them during this process. Try to avoid disrupting your leaves or shaking the trays while you’re putting them back into the dehydrator. Warning: If you smell smoke, your oregano is probably starting to singe. After 1 hour the leaves should be completely dried. Now the microwave drying method for herbs is my favorite, because it’s quick, simple, and it helps the herbs retain their gorgeous, vibrant color! This method is quicker than letting your oregano air dry, but it requires the use of a food dehydrator. It’s also one of the key flavors in Italian cuisine, so the next time you’re making some pasta sauce or stuffed bell peppers, be sure to add a pinch or two of this wonderful herb for an authentic, garden-fresh experience. Leave plenty of space in the bag to allow for air movement. The cheapest and easiest method for drying is using the air to dry your herbs. Some people prefer to punch a hole in the bottom of the paper bag and slide the stalks through the opening so that the leaves are hanging out the open end of the bag. Be sure to hang the oregano away from direct sunlight, as this can affect both the flavor, and the drying process itself. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. It doesn’t matter if you’re drying the oregano on or off of the stalks. After the leaves are removed, you can simply throw the stems away or add them to your compost pile. If store bought, definitely wash or soak gently. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Simply coat each side of the leaf with water to remove any dirt. Now, you can store your dried oregano in containers until you’re ready to use it. Pesto. Wash the basil gently in cool water and spread on a kitchen towel to dry. Once the herb is dry, you’ll have more than enough to enhance just about everything you eat. They should be picked before the flowers develop. Article by Mashup Mom. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Once the leaves have all been rinsed, shake them gently to remove excess moisture. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You can dry directly on the baking sheet or put down parchment paper. As a herb, supplement, or essential oil, it may offer many health benefits. 50 ($3.25/Ounce) 5% coupon applied at checkout Save 5% with coupon. The leaves from 2-4 stalks should produce plenty of leaves for garnishing or flavoring your food. Just hang small bunches in a well-ventilated room, away from light. Then I dry it in my dehydrator for use in recipes all year long. Glass jars are very effective for storing dried herbs, but plastic also works well. Oregano grows up to two feet tall and spans about 18 inches across. Bundle the stems together and hang them to dry oregano in a dark, dry spot. Take the trays out of the dehydrator, and simply lay the leaves flat on the trays. Clean the leaves well before you dry them, or you could end up with dried herbs that have a slightly mulchy taste to them. Here are a few … Still, if you’re in a hurry, this is the best way to dry your oregano. Tip: Leaves that are already dry will rot by the time that you’re done drying the rest of your herbs. They also won’t taste very good, since they haven’t absorbed much moisture while the plant was growing. Tip: You shouldn’t need more than 2-4 stalks of oregano unless you’re making it in large batches to use over the course of a few months. Use it to garnish pizza, potatoes, salad, soup, pork, or coleslaw. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Doesn’t oregano make everything a little bit more delicious? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If no moisture condenses inside of the jar, your leaves are dry. Most dehydrators are too small to fit entire stalks though. If you leave your oregano in the oven for too long, you may heat out most of the key flavors and oils in your herb. Check the oregano every 5 minutes until they’re dried, then remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let it cool. Drying herbs in the oven. Once you’ve learned how to dry oregano by one of the methods we’ve shared, you can dry just about any other culinary or medicinal herb the same way. Whether you’re harvesting your own oregano or picked up a few stalks at the grocery store, you’ll need to dry it out before you can use it as an ingredient or garnish. If you’re in a hurry, you can also use a dehydrator or oven. Arrange the sprigs of oregano on a baking sheet. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Instead, cut off a few plant stems with small garden shears. Be very very careful not to overheat as herbs like mint can quickly blacken and lose flavour. Storing Dried Herbs. You may pull off the tiny leaves and dry them separately or dry the entire stem and then crumble off the crisp leaves. The oregano will usually be completely dry in one day, though some larger leaves may require a little bit more time in the dehydrator until they’re completely dried out. Another way to hang your stalks is to unfold a paper clip, slide half of it between your twine, and hook the bottom half on the twine. Let your oregano cool for 20 minutes before storing them in an airtight container. Fill your garden with delicious and healing plants, and know that you now have the skills to preserve them well for future use. It’s best to pick and prepare one variety of herb for drying at a time.Discard any damaged leaves. But leave small, feathery herbs, like dill and fennel, on the stalks until drying is complete.Tarragon, bay, mint, lemo… 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. Store your dried oregano in an airtight container. Then, you can dry your oregano by hanging it or setting it out on a tray. This method takes less time than hanging your herbs, but you have to trim your leaves to do this. The flavor is just fabulous, too! If you’re drying leaves off of the stalk, it may take a little less time. How to Dry Oregano This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. However, by late summer, even the herbs that have not yet flowered will start to decline as the weather cools. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.