Discover The Best Way To Dry Thyme

You love gardening and planting herbs, but you always worry about your fresh herbs getting spoiled and rotting after a while, Do not worry.

In this article, we will help you learn how to dry thyme, a herb with a pleasant smell you may have in your garden, so you can preserve it for a long period, also we will discuss the best way to dry thyme, how to harvest thyme, and some delicious recipes with it.

What Is Thyme?

Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) is a perennial herb and is part of the mint family. It grows in small leafy clusters on woody stems.

It has a delightful flavor ranging between minty and earthy, it can be used fresh or dried to season different dishes.

How to Harvest Thyme?

Thyme is drought-friendly, so it does not need much watering. You can plant it in your garden, in a container, or indoors in a pot, so why don’t you try to grow some thyme in your garden and relish its pleasant smell?

We will give you some instructions on how to plant thyme successfully:

1- Thyme loves sun and heat, so planting it indoors has to be near a sunny window.

2- It is better to grow thyme from cuttings or young plants rather than from seeds.

3- Water deeply when the soil is dry.

4- The soil needs to drain well to prevent root rot.

5- Fertilize well with organic plant food.

6- Trim the plant in the summer and spring to contain the growth.

For better harvesting, read the following steps:

1- Use kitchen or garden shears.

2- Clip away the top one-third to one-half of the plant.

3- Start with the biggest thyme stem and work your way around the plant.

4- Do not harvest more than half the height of the plant at one time.

When is the Best Time to Harvest Thyme?

The best time for harvesting is in the summer months before it flowers, harvesting is preferred in the morning of a sunny day after the dew has dried. Avoid harvesting in the winter months when the plant is dormant and growing slowly.

What Is the Best Way to Dry Thyme?

How to dry thyme is not a complicated process, you can choose the drying method according to what is available in your kitchen, and you don’t have to use a food dehydrator or a microwave.

You can simply rely on air drying; sure, it will take much more time than other methods, but it works effectively at last. If you want a rapid method, use a dehydrator or microwave.

A food dehydrator and air drying are the most effective methods to preserve aroma and flavor, but a dehydrator has an advantage over air drying as it takes much less time.

3 Ways to Dry Thyme

Here are 3 ways to dry thyme, choose the one suitable for you:

How to Dry Thyme in a Dehydrator?

1- Wash fresh thyme and dry it gently using a kitchen towel.

2- Set the thyme sprigs in one layer on the tray of the dehydrator, leaving some space in between.

3- Place the tray in the dehydrator at 40°C for 2-5 hours until it is totally dry (time may vary depending on the amount of thyme used, your machine, and the climate you live in).

4- Take the leaves off the stem and store them in an airtight container.

How to Dry Thyme in The Oven?

1- Preheat the oven to 170 degrees.

2- Wash and dry the thyme then place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer.

3- Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the thyme is completely dry.

4- Check the thyme regularly while it is drying to avoid burning.

How to Dry Thyme by Air Drying?

1- Tie thyme sprigs together after washing and drying in a bundle with a piece of string.

2- Hang the bundle in a warm dry area away from direct sunlight for about 1-2 weeks.

3- Take the bundle down after drying completely, remove the leaves from the stem, and store in an airtight container.
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Recipes with Thyme

If You want to enjoy some delicious dishes with thyme, have a look at these recipes:

1- Mashed Potatoes with Thyme: mash hot boiled potatoes with butter, heavy cream, and thyme leaves.

2- Roasted Lemon Thyme Chicken: season a whole chicken with thyme, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic, stuff with thyme sprigs, lemon, and garlic, then roast the chicken.

3- Thyme Lemonade: add lemon juice and thyme-infused simple syrup to cold water.

4- Thyme- Roasted Carrots: carrots tossed in fresh thyme and olive oil, then roasted in an oven until tender.

Conclusion

Drying thyme will enable you to enjoy it throughout the year, it will also enable you to preserve your homegrown fresh thyme or if you have bought more than you need from the grocery store. So no waste of money!
I hope that you know The Best Way to Dry Thyme