Since I started growing and harvesting my own herbs, I have learned a trick or two on how to preserve them for optimal use. Believe me, you don’t want washed up looking or tasteless herbs. Here are 5 tips on how to store dried herbs.
If you don’t grow your own, I will also provide tips where to buy them.
How to Store Dried Herbs
Don’t Cut Your Herbs Before You Use Them:
Most of the herbs you buy at the store are tasteless compared to freshly dried herbs. Once you cut an herb, it releases its oils, and starts to denigrate. Any aromatic herb such as mint will lose its smell rapidly. It is impossible to retain Lemon Balm’s fragrant smell.
If you grow your own, you don’t want to cut them before using them. Simply, seal them in a vacuum sealed bag. Alternatively, use a glass container, but realize it has air in it and the herb will denigrate. (You could always vacuum seal your herbs in a ball canning jar. My vacuum sealer has an attachment for sealing ball jars.)
Light and Air Are an Herb’s Enemy
Light and air are an herb’s enemy. It will cause its color to change which signifies it has lost some of its vigor.
Bulk herb bins are death nails for herbs. They spend their life in an air filled container with artificial light blaring on them.
Don’t get me started about grocery store herbs. Yep. A small glass jar allowing the herbs to sunbathe.
Either Dehydrate Your Herbs or Dry in a Very Warm, Dark Area.
If you simply hang your herbs upside down, they will fare better than the grocery store variety. However, they will dry quite a few shades lighter than their original color and be less potent.
If you have access to a dehydrator, dehydrate them.
If I dehydrate my herbs, then I set the dehydrator at 95-110 degrees.
This is the only time an herb should be near heat.
Don’t Store Your Dried Herbs Near a Stove
Okay. How many of you store your herbs within arms reach of your stove? Sure it is easier to grab for the paprika when you need it. Remember heat, light and air are an herbs worse enemy.
Store them in a vacuum sealed bag or vacuumed ball glass jar(best) or glass container in a cool dark place. (This is my foodsaver that has an attachment to seal ball jars. This is the attachment for sealing wide mouth jars.)
Join the Conversation:
How do you store your dried herbs?
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This is good information. We have sage and oregano in the garden much of the year but I haven’t ever stored it. Lame, I know. Where can I buy a bell jar vacuum sealer?
You want to buy a vacuum sealer with a jar attachment. I bought mine at Costco. (this one–http://amzn.to/28N1NF7) Then you have to buy the ball canning jar attachment. http://amzn.to/28KXElR (wide or regular.) I updated the article to include this information.
Thanks I never knew any of this!
Good to know! Thank you!
These are great tips! I tend to buy versus dry my own, but I’ll definitely move my small collection to a cooler, darker place in my kitchen.
Beth, this is great. Your herbs will last longer. Anna
This is excellent. There are often waaaay too many herbs in the garden to use during the season. This is great not only for me, but for making gifts too! Thanks!
Dawn, glad you enjoyed it. Anna
This is great! I have never vacuum sealed them, but have always stored them in a glass jar.
Emily, glass is good too but sometimes they start to lose their taste. Anna
Wow, I never knew any of this. Thank you so much for sharing! Pinning for future reference.
Chloe, you are welcome!
Silly me! I have lots of herbs in my garden that we enjoy all summer, but I have never thought of drying them for use all winter. Thank you!
Thanks Janice! Enjoy your herbs.
Thanks for these tips! I need to prune a bunch of my herb plants and I really don’t want to throw any of leaves away. I will definitely try your methods! Would you say colored ball jars would be better than clear ones?
Light is their enemy, Frank, so if you can opt for colored ones. I store mine in a cabinet away from the light. Anna
Very good to know not to cut the herbs! Never even thought of vacuum sealing them. Will give it a try.
Too questions:
1) I have an old Sweda food dehydrator with four round shelves. No way to set temp. Would that still work?
2) I don’t have a vacuum sealer. Would it work to rest the lid on a jar then use a straw to suck the air out, then quickly close the lid?
Ray, I would check every couple of hours to make sure you aren’t overcooking the herbs. You might just want to hang them upside down to dry instead. As for the vacuum sealer, I don’t think a straw will work. Just dry them well, and store in a glass jar. Store away from light and heat. You have about 1 to 2 years for the life of the herbs.