Thyme is one of the most versatile herbs, with a variety of cultivars and flavors. It grows quickly in sunny, hot conditions but can also withstand cold winters. The woody stemmed herb has small leaves that add flavor to recipes, and an aromatic touch to sachets and aromatherapy treatments. Knowing how to dry thyme can help you preserve the fresh delightful scent and flavor of this herb for easy home use.
How to Harvest Thyme
Knowing when and how to harvest thyme will garner the best results when drying. Woody stemmed herbs are best harvested just before blooming for peak flavor. Cut the stems for drying fresh thyme, just before a growth node. This will increase bushing and ensure a constant supply of the tasty leaves. Morning is the best time of day for harvesting thyme.
How to Dry Thyme
After harvesting thyme, wash it and shake off the excess water. You can choose to dry the entire stem or remove the tiny leaves. The leaves will dry more quickly off the stem but they will remove more easily from an already dried piece of the herb. To remove the leaves, pinch the end of the stem with your thumb and forefinger and pull up the stalk. The leaves will fall off. Remove any of the peripheral twigs and proceed with drying fresh thyme.
Drying Fresh Thyme in a Dehydrator
There are several ways you can dry your herbs. Drying fresh thyme in a food dehydrator is fast and protects against possible mold. The moisture in herbs that are drying in the necessary warm conditions may cause the formation of mold if too much humidity is in the area. To dry thyme in a dehydrator, lay the stems in a single layer on the racks that come with the unit. The stems will dry in under two days and can be stripped of the leaves.
How to Dry Thyme by Hanging
Traditionally, many herbs were dried by hanging. This is still a useful practice today and requires no special equipment. Take stems and bundle them together. Tie the bundles and hang them where the temperatures are at least 50 F. (10 C.) and humidity is low. Stems may take a week or more to dry .
Other Methods of Drying Fresh Thyme
Drying the leaves is the quickest method of preserving the herb. Once the leaves are separated from the stem, you can just lay them on a cookie sheet. Stir them up after half a day. The leaves will be completely dry in just a couple of days.
Storing Thyme
Light and moisture will degrade the herb's flavor. Put the dried herb in an airtight container in a dim to dark area. Storing thyme correctly will preserve its essence and flavor.
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