How to air dry basil

Air-drying basil is a really simple and easy way to preserve this yummy herb. The main requirement is time - it takes about 4 weeks for basil to dry properly. If you're looking for a good way to preserve basil immediately check out my Basil and Olive Oil icecubes Instructable.

Uses - Dried basil is fantastic in pasta, omelettes, scrambled eggs, on roast meat and/or vegies, in salad dressings, on fish, and it makes a great home-made gift.

Materials needed
- Fresh basil from the garden
- String, wool or cotton thread
- A plastic container or ziplock bag
- (optional) 2 x eyehooks

Time taken - 1 hour

This is what the basil looks like when it's been air-dried. The result is similar to the dry flakes you get in containers from the supermarket but it has a much stronger flavor: this is because you lock in the flavor by not breaking it up into those little flakes until right before you use it.

Step 1: Pick and wash your basil leaves

First things first, go out into your garden and cut some stems off your basil plants. The best time to cut basil is apparently 10am in the morning as this is when the leaves contain the most oil which is what gives basil it's delicious smell and flavor.

For this Instructable I used the entire top half of 4 basil plants, but you can use as much or as little as you want.

Put all the leaves and stems in a clean sink and let them soak for a few minutes. I don't use any pesticides on my plants but there are still usually little bugs on the leaves, dirt, and the occasional spider web you don't particularly want in your dinner ;)

Swish 'em round with your hand a few times for good measure.

Comments

[janetvande]

What does "above the jug" mean? Sorry, I only speak Yank, lol. To me, a jug is a large bottle. Thanks! I've airdried herbs before but never was brave enough to try it with my basil. I'll have to, now that I know it can be done successfully!

[hsteel]

Jug = kettle :) If you dry the herbs over the kettle then when the kettle is on the steam from it can - at best - stop the herbs from drying properly and - at worst - make them moldy.

[Mattheous]

Would this work for a dorm room? We have a great farmer's market down the street, and I'd love to dry some herbs for use throughout the whole year--the dining hall food could really use it!

[hsteel]

Hi Mattheous, yes it could definately work - you just need to put them up high in a dry spot that doesn't get direct sunlight all day. I haven't tried it myself but I'm sure you could dry herbs at the top of a clothes cupboard if you made some space (and don't mind your clothes smelling a bit like the herbs).

[Mattheous]

That's perfect! And it should really help my suite feel a little more like home... Thanks!

[explosivemaker]

....I think you can smoke it too....not that I think its a very good ides though....

[ChrysN]

Great instructions, I guess you can do the same with other herbs too.

[hsteel]

Thanks Chrys :) Yes you probably can, I haven't tried it myself but I'm pretty sure this method would work fine for parsley, rosemary, tarragon, mint, possibly even chives. The drying time may differ so you'd probably just want to test them after 2 weeks to see how they're going, instead of after 4 weeks.