Marjoram is one of those spices that are better for drying than freezing. Since the spice herb contains a lot of aromatic substances, dried herb still tastes very spicy. How to properly dry marjoram.

Harvest marjoram in the morning

  • Harvest in the morning
  • Cut whole stalks
  • If possible, do not wash
  • Do not chop the marjoram
  • Process immediately

In the morning, the leaves of marjoram contain the most essential oils. It is therefore advisable to harvest the stalks before noon. Longer stems make it easier to tie up and dry the herb.

It is favorable if it rained the day before. Then the leaves are already freshly washed when you want to process them. If possible, avoid washing the marjoram again. This increases the drying time and increases the risk of mould.

Air dry but not too hot

Tie the marjoram into small bundles of no more than ten stalks. Hang the bundles upside down in an airy, warm room or outside in the shade.

Direct sunlight is not ideal, as the marjoram then fades. In addition, many flavors are lost when temperatures rise above 42 degrees.

If possible, the marjoram should not be moved during the drying process, as this will evaporate the essential oils.

When did marjoram dry?

It takes eight to 14 days for the marjoram to dry, depending on the location, humidity and thickness of the stems.

The leaves can easily be rubbed off the stem with your fingers. In a dark jar they keep for a maximum of one year.

Preserve in the oven or dehydrator

If you don't have a suitable room, you can dry marjoram in the oven or even better in the dehydrator. Again, you should not chop the herbs.

Set the oven or dehydrator as low as possible. Under no circumstances should temperatures exceed 40 degrees.

tips and tricks

Why not make marjoram oil if you have planted too many herbs in the garden. Simply place one or more sprigs in a bottle of olive oil. After a few weeks you will receive a flavorful herbal oil that you can use in a variety of ways in the kitchen.

The garden journal freshness ABC

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

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Herbs