Drying herbs the simple way

I love herbs, I especially like them fresh from the garden but lets face it, you may not always have some ready. Drying herbs can be very simple and can provide a ready supply year round.

I have a dehydrator, but it just seems like overkill for something like drying herbs, not to mention they require a much lower temp than potatos or carrots. I learned a simple technique for herbs I'd like to share. Be forewarned, I would NOT suggest doing this with anything other than herbs.

The supplies you need are simple: a brown paper grocery bag, some string, and some pencils. Tools needed are just as simple: one pair of scissors. Go ahead, I'll give you a few minutes to gather it all together.

To start, clip off some branches that are ready for consumption from your favorite herb plant. I try to get clippings that are about 6-10 inches long. Take them inside, rinse them off, then pat them dry on some paper towels. Next, take a piece of string about 8 inches long. Tie one end around a small bunch of the branches you just picked. Set this aside and repeat for up to 4 bunches.

Now take the paper grocery bag and open it up so it's standing up on it's own. Poke about a dozen holes in the bag on the sides for ventilation. Now take the herb bundles and tie them to the center of the pencil with the other end of the string. Now lower the bundle of herbs into your paper bag and suspend the bundle by poking each end of the pencil into the sides of the bag near the top.

Put the bag somewhere out of the way, near a window if practical. It takes 2-4 weeks for them to completely dry out. Once they are dry, break the leaves off the stems and store them in a container. If possible, wait until you are ready to use them before crushing them.

Here is a top view of the finished product

And a side view

Enjoy.