If you’re new to it, herbs like tarragon, bay, mint, lemon balm, lavender, rosemary, and thyme are some of the best to start with. There are lots of ways to dry them, and even more ways to use them up. Here’s how, from herbal teacher and co-author of The Handmade Apothecary and The Herbal Remedy Handbook Kim Walker. Hang-drying is a great way to air-dry if you don’t want to use up table or counter space. “This works best for herbs that have a good strong stem, like lavender, rosemary, or culinary herbs,” Walker notes. Tie a small bunch with a piece of string using a knot that won’t come undone but still allows for airflow between stems. You can also try tying a bag around the bunch so if any pieces fall out, they won’t fall on the floor. “You don’t want things to go moldy, so you need enough airflow,” she adds. Along with good airflow, they’ll ideally be hung somewhere warm and dry. Avoid direct sunlight, particularly with herbs like rosemary or lemon balm, which can go black in the sun. And for the true herbal enthusiasts, Walker adds there are collapsible mesh racks available today specifically for drying herbs. “The important thing is to have the door open a bit to let the moisture escape,” Walker says. “And you do have to keep your eye on them because you want to dehydrate them—not cook them.” Place your herbs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, have the oven fan running, and rotate your tray throughout the drying process. Check in on your herbs every 15 minutes or so. As soon as they’re completely dry to the touch, take them out. It will likely take one to two hours. “I prefer to keep my herbs as whole as possible,” she adds. “I’ll store nettle leaves dried as leaves, for example. The more you crush it up, the more the plant can break down chemically and medicinally. So, if you’ll be keeping them for a long time, keep bigger pieces and crush them up when it’s time to use them.” Lastly, if you want to display your dried herbs, go for darker glass, to keep light out. “But as long as you keep them in a cupboard where the light won’t get them,” Walker says, “glass color doesn’t really matter.”
