Drying of basil leaf and other herbs

I often saw my grandma drying basil leaves in direct sunlight by spreading them on a clean cloth for several days. Is this a good method? I feel like placing the herbs in the open air like this will contaminate them with dust. Is there any other method I can use to dry fresh herbs?

storage-method herbs

Best Answer

Many of us lack sufficiently reliable sunlight and use a food dehydrator. These may be electric, but can also be solar, accelerating the process compared to open sun-drying. They have to be ventilated, to allow the moisture to get out, but still significantly reduce exposure to dust (and also stop the herbs blowing away).

Solar dehydrators can easily be made from readily available materials, even scrap, and there are plenty of plans online. All you really need is a clear plastic container with holes in the sides (holes low and high on all sides will improve airflow) and to spread the herbs in a thin layer. If drying thicker things they may need to be raised on a grid to allow the bottom to dry out.

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Quick Answer about "Drying of basil leaf and other herbs"

Place the basil in a food dehydrator. If not, put it on the lowest setting, which should be about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This method will take about 12–24 hours depending on the moisture content in the basil. Dehydrate the basil until the leaves become crisp and crumble easily.

How do you dry basil with other herbs?

Instructions

Wash and dry the basil leaves. Remove them from the stem. ...

Microwave on High for 45 seconds.

Remove the plate, spread out the leaves in a single layer. ...

Microwave again on high for one more 30 second interval. ...

Cool completely to allow to become perfectly crisp: the leaves will crisp more as they cool.

What is the best way to dry out basil leaves?

Instructions

Wash and pat dry your basil.

Spread the leaves evenly and in a single layer in a herb drying rack in a place with good air circulation, out of the sun.

Allow the leaves to dry for a few weeks.

Place the whole leaves in an airtight glass container in a dark and dry place.

Can you dry out basil leaves?

Yes, you can air-dry basil! The best way to do this is to wash the basil leaves, dry them with a towel, and then tie them up using their stems. Then, hang them in a cool, dry place (ideally high in your kitchen). It'll take 4 to 5 weeks to fully air-dry though!

How do you dry and store fresh basil?

Dry: Set your oven to the lowest temperature. Place the basil leaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then place it on the upper rack of the oven. Bake for 2-4 hours, until the leaves are crumbly. Crumble & store: Remove the basil from the oven and cool.

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