#HARVESTING THYME HOW TO#

Thyme is best dried at a very low temperature for a long time. Set the oven to the lowest temperature setting at around 100 ☏ (40 ☌). The sprigs should not overlap each other. Spread out the cleaned thyme in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Method 3: Oven-Dry Step 1: Prepare Leaves Use the same procedure to prepare the herbs for packing as in Method 1: Air-Dry by Hanging (Step 3). The leaves should dry out completely in a couple of days, becoming crisp and brittle. Turn or shake the leaves every 12 hours to ensure even drying on all sides. The leaves should not be in direct sunlight. Place the tray in a warm room with low humidity. Spread the leaves out in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet or rimmed dish. Store the dried, crushed herbs in a glass jar or air tight container and label it with the date and contents. You can store the leaves whole or crumble them into small pieces.Ĭrushed leaves are easier to use in dressings and more palatable when incorporated into dishes. Working over a plate or a piece of wax paper, run your fingers down the stems to remove the leaves. Once completely dry, shriveled, and brittle, take them down. The drying time will depend on the climate. The herbs will be dry within 1 to 2 weeks. Ensure the area is well ventilated to prevent the growth of mold. Hang the bundles of thyme to dry out of direct sunlight in a warm room with low humidity. Do not use a plastic bag as this will not allow sufficient airflow which can cause mold. This will protect them from dust but still allow sufficient airflow through. Tip: Pierce a paper bag with holes and cover the herb bundles with the bag. Don’t make the bundles too big to ensure even drying. Tie a few thyme sprigs together with a piece of string, rubber band, or twist tie.

#HARVESTING THYME HOW TO#

Here’s how to go from fresh thyme to dried: Method 1: Dry by Hanging Step 1: Tie Bundles It is, therefore, imperative that the leaves are completely dry of excess moisture before dehydrating thyme. If you dry thyme in the oven, the presence of water on the leaves will soften them instead of allowing them to crisp. Moisture on the leaves will increase the chance of moldy growth during the dehydration process. You can also use a salad spinner to help dry your fresh herbs. Place the leaves on a paper towel and pat dry to remove any remaining moisture. If the thyme plant is dirty or dusty, lightly rinse the leaves or use a damp cloth to remove dirt. Clean thyme leaves do not need to be washed as this will also remove some of the flavorful essential oils. To prepare homegrown herbs for drying, harvest the top 5 to 6 inches of the thyme stems. When you dry thyme leaves, it is important to ensure that they are completely dehydrated before packing as mold will develop if any moisture is present. The quickest method to dry thyme is in the microwave, however, slower methods using low heat will yield the best flavor preservation. There are several ways to dry the herb including air-drying by hanging, drying on a tray, or oven drying. If you have plenty of your own thyme in your herb garden, drying is a great way to prolong its shelf life. It can be incorporated into baked dishes such as quiche, bread, savory muffins, and turned into herb salt. Thyme is used in soups, stews, casseroles, pasta sauces, dressings, meat, and vegetable dishes. The leaves can be used fresh or dried and impart more flavor the longer they cook. English thyme is popularly used in cooking while lemon thyme is also a well-liked variety with strong citrus notes.įresh thyme features thin woody stems with small leaves.

With over 50 varieties of the herb, there are ornamental fragrant types as well as culinary types of thyme. Here you will find out everything you need to know about drying thyme to ensure a year-round supply for your favorite recipes. The great thing about this wonderful herb is that it dries well, and adds great flavor even after being dehydrated. The way you incorporate thyme in your dishes will depend on the cooking method. Fresh thyme is a flavorful savory herb that can be used whole or by picking the leaves from the stem.

Harvesting thyme