Drying Basil
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Delores
Posted on: September 30, 2009
I just pruned my beautiful basil plant. My intent is to pinch the leaves from the stem and dry my basil. How do I dry it so I can use it as a dried herb all year?
Lay the prunings unto a screen, elevate the screen off the ground and let the basil air dry in the shade or in a dry room. When very dry, put into jars and close the jars tightly and store in a dark place. It will barely keep for a year and will gradually turn into unflavored hay! Freezing basil makes it longer lasting, but the leaves turn an unattractive black. Pesto works the longest, because the presence of oil discourages the basil oils from evaporating.
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