refaforfree.blogg.se - Harvesting thyme

#Harvesting thyme how to

Be sure to clean them and keep them sharp. You can use pruning shears or kitchen scissors, but snips work nicely for herbs like thyme because they are small with narrow blades-the better to isolate delicate and sometimes tangled stems. Like most herbs, thyme should be harvested or pruned with sharp, clean shears. If you don’t already have some of these items, please check our Resources section at the end of this collection for recommended suppliers for acquiring the right tools and equipment. And you need the right tools in the kitchen, too, for being able to prepare thyme for your eating enjoyment!īelow is a list of items to consider. You could also keep them in a dry basement or closed pantry.Working your thyme garden means having the right tools to do the job. Finding the right place for storage: Keeping the containers in a cabinet is a good option to keep away sunlight and warm temperatures.

Choosing the right container: To keep away light that will cause the herbs to lose their flavor, ideally find some brown glass, ceramic, or clay containers that you can store them in.

(Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Pexels - Karolina Grabowska) That way you can preserve it for a long time.

#Harvesting thyme how to

How to Store Dried Thyme Dried thyme should be kept in a dark, cool and dry place.

Make sure the leaves are completely dry before you take them out.

Therefore, we recommend you dry your thyme using one of the options described above. Note: Leaving the oven door open is not very eco-friendly. Let the thyme dry in the oven for 1-2 hours. If it doesn’t stay put on its own, you can use a small piece of wood or a cork to keep it from closing shut.

Leave the oven door slightly ajar to allow humidity to escape.

Place the thyme stems next to each other on a baking sheet and put them in the oven.

When the leaves crumble easily, you can take them out.

Place the fresh thyme on the dehydrator trays and let it dry for 2-4 hours.

You know they are dry enough when the leaves easily crumble in your hands.

After 2-4 weeks, the thyme will be dried and you can take down the bundles.

Hang the bundles upside down, so they get enough air circulation. This is the best way to retain the herb’s flavor and color.

Find a spot that stays warm and dry, but that also doesn’t get too much light.

Take several stems and use kitchen twine to tie them together.

After you have collected enough fresh thyme, make sure the branches are dry and that you have plucked off any welted leaves.

There are several ways you can dry thyme. (Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Pixabay - RitaE) How to Dry Thyme You can hang thyme to dry, put it in the oven, or use a dehydrator. Note: To get rid of dust and dirt that may be clinging to your fresh herbs, do not wash, but instead gently shake the twigs. This is important because cutting into the tough ends can keep your thyme from growing new leaves. How to harvest thyme: Cut off about two thirds from the top, leaving only the woody ends.

Also, it’s best to harvest thyme in the morning, when the dew has dried. If you’re unsure, you can harvest it when it has just begun to bloom. The herb usually blooms between June and August, sometimes even longer, depending on the variety and your region. When to harvest thyme: To get the best flavor, harvest thyme in late spring or early summer, just before blooming. For drying and preserving thyme, it is important that you do it at the right time and that you cut it the right way. (Photo: Utopia / Sharon Hodge)įor your daily use, you can harvest fresh thyme regularly. Harvesting Fresh Thyme Thyme grows well in free-draining soil or gravel. Before you can dry it, let’s look at how you can harvest it first. If thyme is not yet part of your kitchen herb garden, it is definitely worth adding. You can also use it to make herb-infused oils or tea and it is also known as a natural home remedy for colds and stomach ailments. In this article, we show you how to harvest, dry and store thyme.ĭried thyme is a wonderful ingredient that adds a delicate note to different types of dishes, from soups and salads to pasta and more.

If dried and stored correctly, it can be preserved for a long time. Drying thyme is easy, and there are several ways to do it.