Dry or fresh herbs???

[crazzzymike13]

I'm getting into growing herbs. I was wondering which is better to use for teas. Fresh out of the garden, or drying them out first??

 

[hoodat]

I'm getting into growing herbs. I was wondering which is better to use for teas. Fresh out of the garden, or drying them out first??

That question isn't easily answered. Some herbs will hold their flavor well when dried and some won't. The taste is often quite different between dried and fresh.
Some herbs will have "grassy" overtones when used fresh. It's best is to try it both ways and see which you prefer for that particular herb.

 

[crazzzymike13]

To dyr them can I use a dehydrator?? Have any of ya had any luck with them?? By the way I have some mint herbs. I can't get enough of that mint tea. I want to maybe dry a bunch for this winter.

 

[curly_kate]

I've hung herbs, and used the dehydrator. Both methods work, but I've had some problems with my herbs getting moldy using the hanging method.

 

[HunkieDorie23]

Alton Brown has a episode on "Good Eats" where he uses a box fan and a couple of furnace filters. It takes about 24 hrs. and they are crisp. He places them onto 20 x 20 filters then stacks another on top, he stacks them 3 or 4 so you can do quite a bit. You have to have a least two one on top and one on bottom. Then he attaches them to a box fan with stretchy cords on the blowing out side, after 12 hrs he flips the filters so the fan blows the other way for another 12 hrs. and then they are done. No dust or bugs and your house smells really good while they are drying.

 

[wifezilla]

I have a piece of cork board in my kitchen with some paper lunch bags pinned to it. For small amounts of herbs I just put them in those bags. For large harvest I hang them. Since I am in Colorado, they dry up nice and fast either way.

 

[HunkieDorie23]

I have a question for those of you that dry your herbs... everything I have read says not to wash your herbs because you loose the oils and flavor of the herbs. Do you wash them before you dry them? When I use them fresh I just pick them and cut them up.

 

[wifezilla]

I wash them. Otherwise you get dirt in your food

A quick rinse in cold water isn't going to destroy the oils

 

[hoodat]

I have a question for those of you that dry your herbs... everything I have read says not to wash your herbs because you loose the oils and flavor of the herbs. Do you wash them before you dry them? When I use them fresh I just pick them and cut them up.

That's one of those "that depends" questions. On tender herbs like basil, savory etc. it's best to pick them after a ight rain and not wash. I say a light rain because a heavy one may spatter mud on them.
Some of the tougher strong flavored herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage can be washed, if necessary, in cold water without losing much flavor.

 

[crazzzymike13]

how long will herbs last if I dry them?? I like drinking mint tea and I want to have a good supply during the winter.