How to Dry Herbs with Kinkai Dehydrator

There are so many methods that allow you to dry aromatic herbs. If natural methods, such as air drying, are as popular, those that involve the use of products or devices remain just as effective and fast. This is the case of the use of a food dehydrator. What are the plants that are preparing for this situation and what are the steps to get there? Point.

What are the benefits of drying aromatic herbs?

Aromatic herbs do not grow during the winter. This is why it is imperative to keep them before this period. Although dried aromatic herbs are available on the market, you can also make them at home easily. In addition to being simple to carry out, the interest of this operation lies in the shelf life. In addition, it does not change the flavor and taste in any way.

The best-known aromatic plants to be dried are:

• Sage
• Verbena
• Chives
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• The Basilic
• Marjoram
• Oregano
• Tarragon
• Coriander, etc.

Once dried, you can use your aromatic herbs in:

• • The preparation and seasoning of your salads: parsley, chives, basil.
  • The preparation of an herbal tea: lemon balm, mint, and sage.
  • Adding salt to give flavor to your food.

Drying aromatic herbs in a dehydrator: the steps to follow

Several steps must be followed to obtain quality dried aromatic herbs. It is important to follow them carefully in order to ensure an optimal conservation time.

Picking herbs

So start by picking the aromatic herbs of your choice long before they bloom. Indeed, once they reach this stage, they completely lose their taste. Thus, they must be picked well in advance. And so that they keep all their flavor, it is essential to pick them up early in the morning.

Once you’ve picked them, arrange them separately, then start stripping the leaves from the stems. Another trick is also to let everything dry and not separate the leaves from the stems until they are dry. In fact, it will be easier. While waiting for the next step, arrange them in a basket or in a canvas bag.

The cleaning of aromatic herbs

Once you’re done with your picking, move on to the cleaning step. To do this, start by gently washing them with a damp cloth, one by one. Do not do this directly underwater, as this may damage them. After, make sure they are completely dried so as not to let them mold.

The drying of aromatic herbs

When the aromatic herbs are free of all dirt, you can proceed to dry. But first, remove all dead and diseased leaves. Once your aromatic herbs are ready, now proceed to dry. Arrange them on the herb dehydrator tray. You can leave them cramped together if you don’t have enough space.

How long for the drying of your aromatic herbs?

Typically, it takes two to six hours to dry the plants fully. It depends on the type of herbs to be dried. As this operation is quite delicate, keep them in view and watch them closely, to prevent them from being dry or overdried. During the process, you can change the temperature of your dehydrator. Start with a temperature of 50°C, then lower it gradually.