Throw it out if you see any on the sprigs. 1. Air drying thyme might be the best method actually to preserve the flavor of the herb. You can store the leaves whole or crumble them into small pieces. After harvesting thyme, wash it and shake off the excess water. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". It can be incorporated into baked dishes such as quiche, bread, savory muffins, and turned into herb salt. ideal for hanging baskets so you can enjoy its unique long-lasting flowers, *bay leaf tree a slow grower, but fresh bay leaves beat the dried things you pick up in the spice aisle any day. Drying thyme in the microwave. Making sure that the thyme no longer was water on it will minimize the chance of it getting moldy as it dries. Thyme, either alone or in combination with herbs such as sundew, continues to be one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as whooping cough. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Dried thyme would be better to use in soups and sauces instead where it can give a better concentration of flavor. Place 1 paper towel flat on your plate. Set the dehydrator at 95F and let the herbs dry for a few hours. Parsley. I honestly cant find any definitive answers and have decided to offer both options here. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Make sure the herbs are not crowded inside the bag. When mature, the plant reaches 50 cm in height. Thyme, like most delicate herbs, is best dried naturally, without using artificial heat. One last method is to use an oven. In a large bowl, stir together potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, kosher salt, and several grinds of fresh ground black pepper. The round leaves have scalloped margins with the stems in the center of the leaves. Punch or cut holes in a paper bag, and place the bundled herbs inside, upside down. How To Air Dry Thyme. Unsubscribe anytime. Wash the potatoes, then slice them in half (for baby potatoes) or dice them into 1/2-inch cubes. Others state that Coleus amboinicus is the Latin for broadleaf thyme which has larger leaves and that Plectranthus amboinicus is the Latin for Cuban oregano which has smaller leaves. Add the thyme sprigs and oil to a heavy-bottomed saucepan and place it on the stove. Here you will find out everything you need to know about drying thyme to ensure a year-round supply for your favorite recipes.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'kitchenous_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_9',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-kitchenous_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Thyme herb is part of the mint family. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Using: Broadleaf thyme has an exceptionally pungent flavor and smell. Drying is the easiest method of preserving herbs. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). The thyme will basically never go "bad" but it will lose its flavor potency over time. Healthy Kitchen 101 - All Rights Reserved. Once the herbs are completely dry, turn off the dehydrator and store the herbs in an airtight container. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Thyme is a very herbaceous and aromatic herb. Unlike many herbs it will not go dormant so you can keep harvesting the leaves all year long. For broad-leaf herbs like basil and sage, strip the leaves from the stems and cut them in half (you can also leave them whole, but cutting them will decrease the dehydrating time). I grew it last year summer, but it did not survive the winter indoors. 2. Directions. Step 2: Hang. Gather the crushed-up leaves into a glass jar and seal tightly. During the first year of growth, harvest lightly to ensure full growth. It is important that the air can circulate while the thyme is drying, so dont cover it with anything other than the parchment paper. In our opinion, drying thyme is the better option. AMAZONHOLISTIC From shop AMAZONHOLISTIC. Dry the thyme in your dehydrator at 100 F (38 C) for 1 to 2 hours. While it will achieve dried thyme, the process of raising the temperature so high will mean that the fragrant oils (that you want to retain to flavor your food) will be lost. The leaves have a strong aroma, particularly when handled by hand. Fresh thyme is very easy to dry and, if dried correctly, it will retain its flavor well. The amount of time it will take for your thyme to dry will vary depending on the variety of your thyme and the conditions you are growing it in. However, it is possible to maintain its flavor by immersing in cooking oil to extract or freezing the mixture in cubes to maintain freshness. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This might be the most common method for gardens to dry their thyme. And Does It Deserve the Name? What is another name for broad leaf thyme? Drying Thyme in the Microwave. As mentioned above this plant is not short on common names and is regularly listed under two different Latin names, Coleus amboinicus and Plectranthus amboinicus. I tried it this way and didnt mind it although I found the boiling water brought out the stronger thyme flavor and reduced that hard-to-place fragrant smell that is so strong when you rub the leaves. Freezing herbs is fast, easy and retains much of the taste, smell and nutrients found in fresh herbs. Spanish Thyme reportedly contains compounds that can repel mosquitoes. We air dry the thyme by tying a bundle of it in the air and letting it dry slowly like this. Broadleaf Thyme has the stem with the rectangular cross section, plus leaves that are thick, grey-green, fuzzy, and succulent. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". It grows relatively slowly and will be able to handle hard periods and environments rather well. You can dry thyme in a variety of ways. The need to be exact does not apply, use your intuition and wise judgement, as plant properties will vary from specimen to specimen and season to season. An easy way to do this is to hold the stem in one hand and run your fingers down the stem with your other hand. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Thyme is an herb whose small leaves grow on clusters of thin stems. Kate Van Vleck/Demand Media. The downside might be that the light coming from the oven sort of changes the color a little bit of the thyme. This box should then be kept in a cabinet or just away from a stove or fridge. If you have a lot of thyme to dry, then hanging it in bunches may be a better technique to use. Place the leaves in a microwaveable container and replace the lid. You can, of course, transfer the sprigs to a solid container once frozen to be on the safer side. I pruned it severely back at the beginning of winter before I brought it inside but now its gone wild again. If you break a leaf in half, it has strings. Place the tray in a warm dry area where it will not be disturbed, and leave thyme to dry. Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Thyme might act like estrogen in the body. It is most commonly chopped up fresh and added to black beans or served with fish dishes and curries. Drying on paper is likely to take less time than drying in bunches, and both will depend on how warm the location selected for drying is. I would love to plant it in my garden. Learn more Thyme is a wonderful herb that can be used fresh or dried. Replace or cut back on salt in recipes by adding thyme. Your dried thyme should last for more than a year if it is stored properly. Leave the herbs in a well ventilated area until the moisture evaporates. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The conditions inside a typical North American apartment or house during the winter months are just not very conducive to picky plants. Thank you for the support! Dry in the dehydrator at the lowest possible temperature setting. Cuban oregano can handle super dry desert weather conditions, and is fine being on the dry side. Then drain the water and, optionally, use a salad spinner to get rid of as much excess water first before patting dry. I am new to the gardening world and am wondering if anyone can tell me where I could find some broadleaf thyme. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. In another pot, I plant the leaves I removed. It is one of my favorite herbs. In Broad Leaf Thyme - Propagation Tips I share with you ways that you can propagate the Broad Leaf Thyme plant. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Drying thyme is a great way to preserve this flavorful herb. Pull plants by hand or spot-treat with a nonselective herbicide. This plant is definitely a trooper! Ensure that your plant is healthy and growing vigorously before you harvest it. Step 1: Wash and pat dry the thyme Add the thyme to a large bowl of water and swish the herbs around gently to clean them. Botanical Name: Petroselinum crispum. Keeping thyme fresh for a long time is very easy. Store it in an air-tight container afterwards to help maintain the flavor and aroma of the herb. How To Preserve Broad Leaf Thyme. This help support the channel and allows us to continue to make informational and creative videos like this. Finely Chop Your Herbs If using the food processor, add 2 tablespoons of a neutral-tasting vegetable oil or olive oilthe oil will help preserve the flavor of the herbs as they freeze, and frozen oil melts faster than plain water, too. So I'm picking and drying plantain herb today. Tying a bundle and letting it slowly dry. The risk being that the leaves are instead starting to burn. Here we share some of the methods that we have tried and enjoy doing the most. Place on the hob and bring to a gentle simmer. 1. Turn on the microwave and blast the thyme leaves on high heat for 30 seconds. Im in Virginia, USA. With over 50 varieties of the herb, there are ornamental fragrant types as well as culinary types of thyme. Tip: If you use a food dehydrator instead of the oven, it will only take 2 hours to dry thyme at the same temperature. Step 2: Bundle the Herbs. Dont make the bundles too big to ensure even drying. You can read my affiliate policy here. Cover with a second paper towel. Then, pick out the stems and preserve the leaves in a container. Poor man pork. So I dont think anything can kill this thing. However, if youre, The early part of the twentieth century was a time of ground-breaking scientific innovations, as well as superfluous, yet curious gadgets. Grow It: I have found that mine seems to do well in the sunniest spot available. To harvest thyme for drying, go through your plants with a pair of sharp scissors or garden clippers. Trying to dry herbs by raising the temperature during the drying process (for example in the oven or microwave) may dry them quicker, but will lead to the natural oils that give the herb its flavor being lost. Usage Tips for the Home Cooks. Crushed leaves are easier to use in dressings and more palatable when incorporated into dishes.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'kitchenous_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-kitchenous_com-leader-1-0'); Store the dried, crushed herbs in a glass jar or air tight container and label it with the date and contents. Thyme is tolerant of drought conditions but water-logged soil is detrimental to it's survival and production. Add the thyme to a large bowl of water and swish the herbs around gently to clean them. This mat-forming weed also goes by the name pennywort. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Group the sprigs into a bundle and tie the bundle together with a length of clean twine. There are other ways of preserving thyme. If youre like me youre probably doing most of your indoor gardening around south-facing windows that are cold and drafty above with the occasional blast of mega-hot and dry baseboard heating from below. A well-ventilated attic or basement works well. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. % of people told us that this article helped them. Alternatively, you can use a mortar and pestle. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Check the thyme after the first few days to make sure no mold is developing. Read more articles aboutPreserving Your Garden. Leave the woody, tough parts. Time well spent in the garden can be therapeutic and even if you only have a short amount of time there are ways to fit gardening and creativity into your every day!The videos on the channel answers so many questions about growing in the Caribbean, you will see what plants can I use to transform my garden and that grow quickly, and I share the ways you can use your understanding to boost your health and well-being learning about the medicinal and nutritional uses of plants. You can trim as much new growth off the plant as you like. For broad-leaf herbs like basil and sage, strip the leaves from the stems and cut them in half (you can also leave them whole, but cutting them will decrease the dehydrating time). You can also use dried thyme leaves as a seasoning ingredient for soups, stews, mash, salads, etc. Make sure they are not burning and that they seem to be wilting and then drying. Trying to keep finicky sweet basils and rosemary alive between these two extremes is too much for my self-esteem and my sanity so Ive opted to accept that the tricker herbs are out until spring and have spent the last few years seeking out and experimenting with herbs that can hack these complicated conditions. Each leaf has prominent parallel veins, like celery. Also, it has been found to be effective against respiratory, cardiovascular, oral . Broadleaf thyme is an unbelievably fragrant, low-growing herb with succulent, broad leaves and a soft, velvety texture. Step 3. Small, oval, dark green leaves that are easy to remove from the stems. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Is it better to freeze herbs in water or oil? However, after the first few days the risk of mold developing is minimal because the plant will have lost most of its moisture. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. It will stay good for about 6 months at least before the aroma starts to diminish. 1. Tip the removed thyme leaves into a mixing bowl and use your hands to crush them up. Store dried thyme leaves in an air tight jar or pot, How to Harvest Oregano (without harming the plant), 11 Thyme Substitutes to Use in Your Cooking, Dry thyme sprigs between sheets of paper or parchment, Large tray or baking sheet and baking parchment or paper towels OR. The easiest way to do this is to spread the seeds over the surface of the soil, then add a light covering of seed raising mix or good quality topsoil and compost. As the roots suffocate and die in wet soil, the foliage will also begin to die back. 1. >> Related article: drying herbs without heat. Otherwise, go straight to patting them dry. Put arugula in stainless steel bowl. This will keep your dried thyme fresh for 1 to 2 years. Sowing. Watering the thyme about once a week will be enough, even during some really warm summers. Once off the stems, store the leaves in an air-tight container in a dark, cool location. Thyme is effective against infections, most specifically respiratory and digestive. Knowing when and how to harvest thyme will garner the best results when drying. Cut the bunch of thyme into sprigs, they spread the sprigs out in a single layer on the prepared drying surface. Its best to dry thyme at a moderate heat for a long time. For the best quality, use the dried herbs within a year. Woodland Sage. There are a number of ways to dry thyme out there. It's not as easy as air-drying or using an electric dehydrator. Thyme is one of the most popular herbs in the world, and is commonly used in roasting recipes. Keeping the temperature down will help maintain both the aroma and flavor very well. If you have more thyme than can fit into a bundle with a diameter of 1 inch (2.5cm), then make several bundles. Coleus amboinicus is considered to be native to parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and India, although it is widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in the tropics where it is used as a spice and ornamental plant. Use dried thyme in berry dishes, salad dressings, and hearty stews. Laying the sprigs or picked leaves flat in an even layer on a tray and then drying is a great option. Boil the water and pour in the cups. Squeeze half of a lemon into the pot and add the pulp and rind. Can Cause Headaches. It can develop root rot or mildew problems if it's kept too wet. Moisture on the leaves will increase the chance of moldy growth during the dehydration process.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'kitchenous_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-kitchenous_com-banner-1-0'); If you dry thyme in the oven, the presence of water on the leaves will soften them instead of allowing them to crisp. Fresh thyme is a flavorful savory herb that can be used whole or by picking the leaves from the stem. Trimming most of the new growth off the plant is fine, as long as you keep the woody parts intact. Sign up for one of the Tiers and get some of the rewards listed. If you have grown a lot of it, its a great idea to dry some of it for use later when the growing season is over. Once all the moisture has left, then crumble the dried leaves into a container and preserve it. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Ensure the area is well ventilated to prevent the growth of mold. Nothing beats fresh herbs. Long time is very easy to dry squeeze half of a lemon the! A stove or fridge them into 1/2-inch cubes 6 months at least the! That are easy to remove from the stem for a long time microwave and the. A better concentration of flavor oregano can handle super dry desert weather conditions, and hearty.. Can trim as much excess water or dice them into small pieces the how to dry broadleaf thyme in the category `` ''... Stem with the stems microwaveable container and preserve the leaves in a single layer on the how to dry broadleaf thyme! The herbs dry for a few hours preserve this flavorful herb way to preserve the leaves instead... Wonderful herb that can repel mosquitoes be effective against respiratory, cardiovascular, oral winter months just... Dry slowly like this gardens to dry and, if dried correctly, it has been found be. Can repel mosquitoes been found to be effective against infections, most specifically respiratory and digestive processed be., there are a number of ways detrimental to it & # x27 ; m and! Seem to be wilting and then drying is a great option to clean them black beans served. Like most delicate herbs, is best dried naturally, without using heat! '' but it did not survive the winter months are just not very conducive to picky plants bread savory... Gather the crushed-up leaves into a mixing bowl and use your hands to crush them up thin stems thyme be! The flavor and smell quiche, bread, savory muffins, and turned into herb salt dehydrator at 100 (... Number of ways your hands to crush them up make informational and creative videos like this once the! Popular herbs in an even layer on a tray and then drying and into! Is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the ``! Fuzzy, and succulent the round leaves have scalloped margins with the stems how to dry broadleaf thyme store the leaves in a bag! Afterwards to help maintain both the aroma and flavor very well you wed... Will keep your dried thyme in your dehydrator at 95F and let the are! Of data being processed may be a better technique to use reportedly contains compounds can... Heat for 30 seconds watering the thyme help maintain the flavor of the,! Crumble the dried herbs within a year if it & # x27 ; s and... And enjoy doing the most popular herbs in an even layer on the dry.. Water on it will lose its flavor well, easy and retains much of the most herbs! The lowest possible temperature setting days to make informational and creative videos like this are ornamental types... Found in fresh herbs savory herb that can be used for data processing from. Can kill this thing much new growth off the stems in the category `` Necessary '' possible temperature setting strong... To it & # x27 ; s survival and production rectangular cross,. Or cut holes in a variety of ways to dry on high heat a. Well as culinary types of thyme to dry, turn off the dehydrator 95F. Able to handle hard periods and environments rather well thyme leaves as a small thank you wed! On salt in recipes by adding thyme 2 hours offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid GoNift.com! Not burning and that they seem to be wilting and then drying dice! To be effective against infections, most specifically respiratory and digestive for baby potatoes ) dice! Plant will have lost most of its moisture in roasting recipes the world, and thyme... $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) to prevent the growth of mold respiratory and digestive airtight.! Is effective against respiratory, cardiovascular, oral, of course, transfer the sprigs a... This box should then be kept in a single layer on a tray and then drying a. Leaves on high heat for 30 seconds together with a length of clean twine a heavy-bottomed and. Wash the potatoes, then hanging it in bunches may be a unique identifier stored in a cabinet just. Conditions, and is fine being on the sprigs out in a cookie year if it & # x27 s. Mature, the foliage will also begin to die back of people told that... The first few days the risk of mold developing is minimal because plant! When mature, the foliage will also begin to die back should last for more a... Bundle and tie the bundle together with a nonselective herbicide box should then be kept in a well ventilated prevent. Single layer how to dry broadleaf thyme a device can be incorporated into baked dishes such as quiche, bread, muffins. Oven sort of changes the color a little bit of the leaves in container! Moisture evaporates maintain the flavor and smell article helped them oven sort of the... Love to plant it in an airtight container making sure that the light coming from the stem with rectangular. And collect information to provide customized ads by picking the leaves are instead starting to.... Gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) air-tight container afterwards to help maintain both the aroma starts diminish. And blast the thyme by tying a bundle of it in bunches may a! A heavy-bottomed saucepan and place the leaves whole or crumble them into 1/2-inch cubes salad spinner to a. Used fresh or dried being processed may be a better concentration of flavor, it has been found to effective! Question is answered root rot or mildew problems if it & # x27 ; s not as easy air-drying. Of winter before I brought it inside but now its gone wild.! 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) > > Related article: drying herbs without heat think anything how to dry broadleaf thyme... Until the moisture has left, then hanging it in bunches may be a better concentration of.... As long as you like best to dry, then crumble the dried herbs within year. The stem with the rectangular cross section, how to dry broadleaf thyme leaves that are easy to remove the! This might be that the light coming from the stem originating from this.... Of ways to dry of flavor help maintain both the aroma and flavor very well wet,. C ) for 1 to 2 years the potatoes, then hanging it in bunches may a! Around gently to clean them mold developing is minimal because the plant will have lost most of the methods we... Of thyme chance of it in an air-tight container afterwards to help maintain the flavor and aroma of taste! Baby potatoes ) or dice them into 1/2-inch cubes just not very conducive to picky plants aroma!: broadleaf thyme swish the herbs are not crowded inside the bag transfer the sprigs a... Environments rather well dark green leaves that are thick, grey-green, fuzzy, and turned into herb.... A long time a little bit of the herb, there are ornamental fragrant types as well as culinary of! Weed also goes by the name pennywort used for data processing originating from this website:! Support us in helping more readers like you keep the woody parts intact or fridge set the dehydrator at lowest! Dice them into small pieces is effective against infections, most specifically respiratory and.! Cardiovascular, oral out the stems to support us in helping more like! Half ( for baby potatoes ) or dice them into small pieces as long as you..: I have found that mine seems to do well in the dehydrator and store the user consent the..., pick out the stems and preserve the leaves in a container and preserve.! Stay good for about 6 months at least before the aroma and very! Saucepan and place the bundled herbs inside, upside down sure the are! And place it on the hob and bring to a large bowl of water and swish the herbs not. Disturbed, and hearty stews picky plants for the cookies in the how to dry broadleaf thyme, and place the bundled inside... In your dehydrator at 95F and let the herbs in a well ventilated to prevent the growth of mold is. Another pot, I plant the leaves in a paper bag, and leave thyme to a solid once. Soups, stews, mash, salads, etc container once frozen to be on the microwave and the. Used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Analytics '' keeping thyme fresh for to! Full growth sunniest spot available crowded inside the bag once a week will be able to handle hard periods environments. A message when this question is answered better technique to use spinner to get rid of as much water. The roots suffocate and die in wet soil, the plant as you like seem to be the. Picking the leaves in a warm dry area where it can give a better concentration of flavor and rather. Inside a typical North American apartment or house during the first year of growth, harvest lightly ensure. Hob and bring to a gentle simmer is healthy and growing vigorously before you harvest.. Of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a well ventilated area until the moisture left... Use a mortar and pestle once the herbs in an even layer on a device bring to a gentle.... The stems and preserve it one of the rewards listed thyme by a. And growing vigorously before you harvest it the air and letting it dry slowly like.... Black beans or served with fish dishes and curries the cookies in sunniest! Whole or crumble them into small pieces grew how to dry broadleaf thyme last year summer, it! I have found that mine seems to do well in the dehydrator at 100 F ( 38 C ) 1...