Dried herbs can now be found in almost every kitchen. You can buy them but you can also dry them yourself. Grown in your own garden, you get[ tarragon without pesticides and you also have the joy of making it yourself.

Preparations for drying

Unlike most other herbs, tarragon should not be hung to dry in a bouquet. Because with this herb, the whole aroma goes into the stems. Since these are not intended for consumption, the aroma is practically lost through this type of drying.

So, remove the stems from the leaves and dry only the leaves. To do this, spread them out on a surface, for example on a baking sheet, which you have lined with a clean tea towel. You can use this cloth to “collect” the dried leaves straight away.

Air drying

The loose leaves of the tarragon do not need high temperatures to dry, but they must not be exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise they lose their aroma. An airy, dry spot in the shade is ideal. The humidity must not be too high so that the leaves do not start to mold. A dry attic is particularly suitable.

Drying in the oven

You can also dry the leaves in the oven. However, you should know your oven well for this. Do not turn the temperature too high or the tender leaves will burn. About 30 - 40 °C are completely sufficient.

Leave the oven door ajar. This works best with a cooking spoon clamped in between. This allows the moisture to escape better and the leaves dry faster. Keep an eye on the drying process and remove the tarragon from the oven as soon as it has dried.

Storage of the dried tarragon

After cooling down, fill your dried tarragon in screw-top jars and store them in a dark and cool place. Dark glasses are ideal, they protect the contents from the effects of light. The tarragon will keep for a few months in this way.

The most important drying tips:

  • dry thoroughly
  • pack only after it has cooled down
  • Only store herbs that are completely dry, otherwise there is a risk of mold!
  • keep cool, dry and dark

tips and tricks

Dried tarragon is a great way to cook a Bearnaise sauce!

UE

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

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Vegetable garden