The rapid growth of a coriander plant sometimes requires the harvesting of leaves and shoots that the kitchen cannot use immediately. Fortunately, the herb has a long shelf life when dried. You can find out how it works here.

This is how cilantro dries in the air

People have been preserving plants by air drying for generations. The classic method undoubtedly requires a long thread of patience. This circumstance is compensated by the free and uncomplicated procedure. How to do it right:

  • Cut off shoots with lush green leaves just above the ground
  • clean under running water
  • shake off the water or pat dry with a cloth
  • Tie the ends of the leaf stems together with a raffia ribbon

Hang the small bouquets in an airy place until they are so dry that the leaves rustle. Stored in an airtight container, cilantro can be used as a flavoring in hot dishes for the next 6 months.

So the oven acts as a dryer for cilantro

It takes a long 14 days for coriander to dry. If that takes too long, you can turn the oven into a drying device for herbs. You can either pluck the leaves right after the harvest, or you can dry the shoots as a whole. Follow these steps:

  • Spread leaves or twigs on a baking sheet
  • the plant parts must not touch each other
  • set the oven to 30 to 35 degrees Celsius
  • stick a cloth or wooden spoon in the oven door
  • Turn the cilantro occasionally

At a higher temperature, the coriander leaves dry faster, but there is a noticeable loss of aroma. An exception are the roots, which are used fresh or dried in various Thai dishes. In this case, set the oven to 60 degrees Celsius and fan oven.

tips and tricks

If the dried leaves are later plucked from the shoots, they crumble before they end up in the saucepan. Clever hobby gardeners therefore lay out the coriander leaves in a net that is hung under the ceiling. In this way, they remain in one piece even when dried, so that you can season the food without wasting it.

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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:

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Category:

Vegetable garden