Herb drying guidelines, Most herbs may be dried in your nesco, American harvest – Nesco Food Dehydrator User Manual
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Herb Drying Guidelines
Most herbs may be dried in your NESCO
®
American Harvest
®
dehydrator right on
the plant stalk or stem. Seeds and leaves are easily stripped from the plant when
dry. Drying temperature should not exceed 90°-100°F (35°C). Do not dry herbs
with fruits and vegetables. Store in glass containers in a cool, dark place to reduce
flavor loss. Label clearly before storage because they are difficult to recognize when
dry. Do not powder leaves until you are ready to use.
Average
Food
Part of Plant Preparation Drying Time Uses
Anise
Leaves
Rinse in cold water
1-3 hrs.
Soups, stews, sauces,
and vegetable and
fruit salads
Anise
Seeds
Rinse in hot water
2-5 hrs.
Cake, cookies,
sweet breads
Basil
Leaves
Clip leaves 3 to 4
1-3 hrs.
Italian and
inches from top of
Mediterranean dishes,
plant just as first
tomato dishes, meat,
buds appear
salads, soups, fish,
poultry and egg dishes
Caraway
Seeds
Clip entire plant.
2-5 hrs.
Pork, sauerkraut, rye
Dip in boiling water
bread, cheese,
vegetables and cookies
Chili
Pods
Rinse and dice
5-12 hrs.
Powder for seasoning
Peppers
Chives
Leaves
Chop, rinse in cold
2-3 hrs.
Mild onion flavor, use
water
in moist recipes
Cilantro
Leaves
Clip with stems.
1-3 hrs.
Mexican, Chinese and
Rinse in cold water
Mediterranean dishes
Coriander
Seeds
Clip entire plant.
2-5 hrs.
Sausage, pickling,
Dip in boiling water
spices, apple and
pear dishes
Cumin
Seeds
Rinse in cold water
2-5 hrs.
Curries and chili
dishes
Dill
Leaves
Rinse in cold water
1-3 hrs.
Salads, vegetables,
potatoes and fish