What's Your Rosemary Drying Method (Without Browning) ???

[ch_br]

I dunno what the hell is going on with me.

I can pretty much dry every herb and have been doing a few over the last month to have on hand for quick access when I'm out of fresh.

But, for some reason,

rosemary has been giving me fits for 4 weeks in a row.

Just when I think I have it, it ends up turing brown near the end.

Ive tried:

• straight air hanging
• Mid temp convection oven (125F)
• Low temp convection oven (105F)
• Low temp convection finished with air dry

I dont have a dehydrator and won't buy it for lack of space.

Curious to hear your suggestions.


Thanks in advance,

 

[Jovidah]

I buy it in the store.
If I was growing fresh and had a surplus I'd probably lean to using it for olive oil infusion instead. But isn't it easier to just leave it on the plant?

 

[stringer]

What has always been foolproof for me is buying one of those big expensive potted rosemary plants and then forgetting to water it.

 

[sumis]

vacuum and freeze instead.

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[MarcelNL]

vacuum and freeze instead.

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that and I keep a couple of plants in the garden, like bay and thyme.

 

[ch_br]

that and I keep a couple of plants in the garden, like bay and thyme.

I understsnd about the importance of keeping fresh on hand...

However dried are for different use, and concentrations of flavor, vs fresh..

So for some herbs I keep both

 

[rickbern]

I usually just wrap it in a paper towel and leave it on the counter

 

[Noodle Soup]

Its easy to grow into a large bush here. So I use most fresh but there is a jar of dried some place on the spice rack if all else fails.

 

[Jovidah]

FWIW of the ones I buy in the store, the ones that are freeze-dried seem to have the best quality. Commercial freeze-drying is done in a vacuum, but you might still be able to do it at home, just layering them out on a tray in the freezer, and waiting.... probably quite a long time. Worth an experiment I'd say.

 

[sumis]

living in sweden, seasons really makes a difference. spent this fall-winter in sardinia and there was a rosemary shrubbery outside the house that will last a lifetime, fresh 365 days a year. …

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[sumis]

FWIW of the ones I buy in the store, the ones that are freeze-dried seem to have the best quality. Commercial freeze-drying is done in a vacuum, but you might still be able to do it at home, just layering them out on a tray in the freezer, and waiting.... probably quite a long time. Worth an experiment I'd say.

yea, actually, rosemary is still great with strong smell and taste freeze dried. esepcially if you mash it a bit. why there's a market for dried basil beats me though.

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[nopomo]

Have you tried the microwave?

 

[1315]

I cut sprigs to length to fit in a tupperware, then put on a dark colored baking sheet and put it outside in the sun.

 

[Taurahe]

I just hang mine, no problems