Drying Herbs Naturally
How we air dry calendula, mint and mallow without a dehydrator.
Every summer we collect a few herbs and edible flowers from our garden. There are faster ways to dry them, but we still prefer the traditional one. It doesn’t require any special equipment, only a little patience and a place with good airflow.
We simply place the freshly picked herbs in shallow wicker baskets lined with a sheet of paper. This keeps the flowers clean while allowing air to circulate freely around them.
The baskets stay in a dry, shaded place away from direct sunlight. Although sunshine may speed up the drying process, it can also fade the colours and reduce the natural aroma of the herbs and flowers.
Every day or two we gently turn them by hand to help them dry evenly and prevent any moisture from collecting underneath.
Once they feel completely dry and the petals become crisp to the touch, we transfer them into clean glass jars with tight-fitting lids. Stored in a cool, dark and dry cupboard, they keep their colour, fragrance and flavour for many months.
When winter arrives, all it takes is a spoonful of dried herbs, hot water and a favourite mug. For a few quiet minutes, it feels as though a little piece of summer has found its way back into the house
Which herbs dry well?
- Calendula
- Mint
- Mallow
- Chamomile
- Lemon balm
Things We Use
We only recommend products we genuinely use in our own home and garden. We like to keep it simple. These are a few things that make drying and storing herbs easier:
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Some things don’t need to be faster.
They just need a little time.
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See you in the garden.
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