It's easy with these instructions

Harvest rosemary

Basically, you can use rosemary all of it Harvest throughout the year, whereby either the individual needles (which is very time-consuming if you want to dry a lot) or entire shoots are plucked. Rosemary can also be used without any problems during and after the flowering period to be harvested; Some experts even believe that this is when the herb is most flavorful. However, it is best to use rosemary intended for drying in the late morning or early morning. Harvest at lunchtime, when it has not rained for about two or three days - then the herb is dry enough not to be attacked by mold. Only healthy and undamaged parts of the plant are picked.

Dry the rosemary needles

It is better not to wash the rosemary sprigs or needles before drying, as the moisture promotes mold. Rosemary dries best if you spread out the individual needles lying on a kitchen towel, cover them with fly gauze and store them in a room warm and well-ventilated place. However, you should avoid direct sunlight, as this will volatilize the essential oils. Apply the needles several times a day. They are dry as soon as they crumble easily and crackle in the process. Smaller quantities can then be ground up well with a mortar, larger quantities can be ground in a food processor (with nut grinding attachment).

Drying or freezing rosemary?

Basically nothing speaks against freeze fresh rosemary needles. In contrast to basil, for example, the herb does not lose its aroma. You can freeze whole branches or just the needles. By the way, if you don't bother to pluck off each needle individually, freeze the rosemary sprigs. The needles can then be removed more easily from the handle.

Dry the rosemary by hanging it up

Whole branches are also great dry by hanging. To do this, tie a few twigs loosely into a small bouquet and hang them - in Sufficient space for air to circulate - upside down in a dry and warm place Cookies open. However, make sure that it is dark here too - sunlight only causes the aroma to evaporate and the needles ultimately becoming unusable as a spice. A boiler room, a warm cellar or an attic are ideal. The twigs are dry after about two to three weeks, whereby the stems cannot be used. therefore, all you should do is pluck the needles off and keep them.

Dry rosemary in the oven or microwave

Like many other herbs, rosemary can easily be dried in the oven. This procedure is particularly advisable if the conventional methods do not work due to a lack of space or insufficient conditions. Proceed as follows to dry the oven:

• Preheat the oven to a maximum of 50 ° C, but 30 to 40 ° C is better.
• Harvest the rosemary sprigs.
• Remove dead or damaged needles.
• Rosemary, which is to be dried in the oven, can be washed beforehand.
• Then dry the washed off rosemary with a kitchen towel.
• Line an oven tray with parchment paper.
• Spread the rosemary sprigs generously on the paper.
• Leave enough space in between for air to circulate.
• Push the tray with the rosemary into the top rail of the oven.
• Close the oven door and wedge a wine cork or wooden spoon between the door and the oven.
• The resulting gap ensures that escaping moisture can escape.
• Apply the rosemary about once every hour.
• The twigs are ready to dry in about two to four hours.

As soon as the stems and needles can no longer be bent and are brittle, the rosemary is ready to dry. Now you can pluck the needles from the stems - the stems cannot be used - and store them in a suitable container. If you want, you can finely grind the needles beforehand with a mortar, grain or coffee grinder or with a food processor. Of course, rosemary can also be dried in a dehydrator.

Store dried rosemary

The dried and cooled rosemary (if it has been dried in the oven) can be transferred to tightly sealable containers - ideally with a screw cap. The finished spice should be stored in a dark and cool place, such as in the kitchen cupboard. Sunlight destroys the delicate and volatile essential oils.

Tips & Tricks

Rosemary sprigs should only be crushed after they have dried, but preferably just before use. This is the best way to preserve the very volatile essential oils. The needles can be cut, rubbed and also ground.

IJA