Jiaogulan generously provides us with fresh leaves in summer. Even if the plant overwinters warmly, the harvest does not have to pause. However, there are situations in which drying its leaves makes sense. Then it should be done gently so that the valuable ingredients are preserved.

When dried, the leaves of Jiaogulan have a long shelf life and can be used for tea at any time

Dry leaves for winter storage

Fresh leaves are the best choice when it comes to enjoying the benefits of this herb. A vital plant will also have plenty of leaves to regularly pluck off some of them. Be it to brew tea, for a smoothie or as a vegetable side dish.

However, if the hardy herb of immortality is cultivated outdoors, the above-ground parts die off in autumn. Only the rhizome overwinters, from which new shoots do not sprout until spring. Dry leaves are a good alternative for the winter period if you don't want to completely stop using the plant.

tips

Avoid freezing the leaves. After defrosting, they are just mushy and their typical taste has largely disappeared.

Gentle drying preserves the ingredients

Medicinal herbs must be dried gently so that the active ingredients contained in them are not destroyed. Therefore also applies to Jiaogulan:

  • air dry
  • in the shade, not in the sun
  • Temperature should not rise above 40 °C

This is how you dry optimally

  1. Pick the jiaogulan leaves just before you start the drying process. Young leaves are more aromatic than old ones. Also, cut off the stems as they adversely affect the flavor.
  2. Wash dirty fresh leaves under running water. Then dry them carefully.
  3. Spread the leaves out on a wire rack so air can get in from all sides. The sheets should not overlap so that they dry faster. Alternatively, you can spread them out on a baking sheet.
  4. Find a suitable place to dry. Either outside or inside the house.
  5. Turn the leaves regularly until they are completely dry. They can then be easily crumbled.
  6. Store the dried leaves in a tightly sealed jar.

Notice:
The tea made from dried leaves has a more bitter taste than that made from fresh leaves.

Possible periods for drying

Just before flowering in summer, the leaves are at their most fragrant. The warm days also make drying easy. But fall is also a good time to stock up for winter. Grab a pair of scissors before the above-ground shoots die off on an outdoor specimen. You can cut the tendrils close to the ground and dry all the leaves.

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:

Vegetable garden