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Drying basil at home is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. This is a great seasoning that is perfect for most dishes. In some countries it is used when preparing meat, soups, and sauces. In order for the finished product to retain its properties and aroma, it must be properly collected and processed.
Is it possible to dry basil for the winter?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to use fresh herbs throughout the year; not always and not everyone has the opportunity to purchase them in winter. In this case, an excellent option is to prepare dried seasonings at home. It is worth considering that basil does not lose its taste, aroma and beneficial properties. There are several ways to dry herbs, which allows everyone to choose a suitable and affordable option. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations.
Are basil flowers dried?
It all depends on everyone's tastes.For example, some people use only leaves, others cut plants to the very roots, even using sticks, and there are those who like to add flowers to their dishes.
Some housewives note that if you dry the flowers and sticks and then grind them in a coffee grinder, you will get an excellent seasoning. Harvesting of inflorescences begins at the moment when they acquire a dark shade. During this period, it is necessary to collect the seeds and place them in a fabric bag. In this state they will ripen and dry at the same time. After some time, the product is separated from the garbage, crushed and used as a seasoning.
Beneficial properties of dried basil
If you follow all the recommendations and rules, then the dried product will be as healthy as the fresh one. Basil is very rich in vitamins, which is not common to all herbs.
Dried plants have beneficial properties:
- Prevent vitamin deficiency during diet. Quite often, women go on diets, which result in a deficiency of nutrients in the body. You can replenish them with fresh or dried basil.
- Removes toxins from the body.
- They have anti-inflammatory properties, help rapid wound healing, and reduce toothache.
Dried herbs also help improve brain function, give strength, and have a calming effect on the nervous system. Thus, basil does not lose its beneficial properties and vitamins.
When to harvest basil for drying for the winter
To dry basil for the winter, you need to prepare it properly.It is recommended to collect raw materials before flowering begins. If you cut herbs at the moment of flowering, then there is a chance that the dried leaves will not be as tasty and aromatic.
As soon as the plant begins to gain color, you need to choose a sunny day and collect young shoots for drying. This must be done during the second cutting - in September. If necessary, you can use the raw materials that were cut first. The best time to collect leaves is mid-morning. At this time they are completely dry.
How to properly dry basil at home
Some people dry basil at home in different ways. This applies not only to the methods of which there are a large number (in the microwave, oven, electric dryer, naturally), but also to the choice of raw materials. For example, some use only leaves, excluding sticks, since they are quite rough, others only pick flowers. In any case, the preparation of dried herbs must be approached as carefully as possible, which will preserve not only the aroma and taste, but also the beneficial properties.
How to dry basil for the winter naturally
First of all, the collected raw materials are carefully sorted and then washed under running water. Since wet herbs cannot be used for drying, the basil should be shaken off, which will allow you to get rid of some of the water, and then spread on a towel to remove any remaining moisture. After the grass is ready, it is laid out on paper in one layer and left in a dark place, covered with gauze. It is not recommended to dry herbs on newspaper, as the printing ink is poisonous.
How to dry basil in the microwave
The main advantage of microwave drying is the fact that by choosing this option, you can achieve the desired result in a matter of minutes, rather than in days or hours. It is worth noting that the aroma, taste and beneficial properties of dried plants remain at the proper level and are not lost.
The work algorithm looks like this:
- Collect herbs.
- Rinse thoroughly under running water.
- Allow to dry so that no moisture remains on the leaves.
- You should first put a napkin on the plate.
- Place basil leaves on it in one layer.
- Turn on the microwave at full power
- Leave for 2-3 minutes.
After this, you can send the dried herb for storage and add it to dishes.
How to dry basil in an electric dryer
To preserve smell and taste, many people prefer an electric dryer. To dry herbs using this method, you must adhere to a certain algorithm:
- The collected raw materials are washed and the water is shaken off. It is recommended to use only the leaves for drying, as the sticks are rough and not suitable for this purpose.
- Lay the herbs in a thin layer on the tray.
- The drying process is carried out at +35 °C.
- Pallets must be swapped every hour.
- After 4 hours, the dried basil is completely ready.
If you don’t have an electrical appliance at hand, you can do the work naturally.
How to dry basil in the oven
Before you start drying the herbs, they need to be collected, washed and dried. Place the leaves on a paper towel to absorb water. The towel is changed as needed.
You can start drying in the oven after a few hours:
- First of all, preheat the oven to +100 °C.
- Place parchment on a baking sheet and arrange the leaves.
- Basil should be in the open oven for 2 hours.
The leaves decrease in size several times, while their aroma intensifies.
Where to add dried basil
Dried basil is an excellent seasoning that can be added to minced meat, sauces, first and second courses. A universal spice in every sense of the word, it can improve the taste of meat and fish and goes perfectly with a wide variety of foods.
Some varieties have a lemon aroma, making them excellent for making aromatic teas and compotes. Dried herbs can replace fresh herbs when canning and making marinades. There are no strict rules for use. The main advantage of dried herbs is their unique taste and aroma.
Terms and conditions of storage
Many people use different storage methods for dried herbs. If necessary, you can use a coffee grinder and grind the greens into fine crumbs, and then add them to dishes. You can also send whole leaves and twigs for storage. In this case, everyone chooses a method at their own discretion. Experienced housewives prefer to use the second option for storage, and chop the basil immediately before adding it to the dish.
Whole leaves are placed in paper bags, but jars that close tightly are perfect for crumbs, as basil quickly loses its aroma.
Conclusion
Drying basil at home is quite easy; no special skills or knowledge are required.If you know how to properly prepare the seasoning, you can make do with improvised means, for example, choose a natural method, a microwave or an oven, which is available in every home. Dried basil can be stored whole or ground and stored in glass jars.
