HOW TO CUT AND DRY ROSEMARY

Rosemary is a fragrant woody herb that adds intense flavor to any savory dish. In it’s native, Mediterranean habitat it grows into large bushy plants, sometimes used as hedges.

HOW TO CUT ROSEMARY

It’s important to know that new growth will only come from green stems, not from woody stems. So, unless you want to cut back your rosemary forever, only make cuts on the new growth. And please, use scissors or pruning shears for clean cuts.

Cut the green stem just above where two leaves are growing, this will prompt two new shoots to grow. This helps to avoid tall spindly rosemary and will result in twice as much rosemary to harvest.

Repeat this process several times throughout the summer. Each time you do, you can use the rosemary fresh or dry it for use throughout the year.

HOW TO DRY ROSEMARY

Here are a few different ways to dry rosemary after you wash it and dry it to remove surface moisture.

PAPER BAG METHOD

If you have just a few sprigs of rosemary, toss them in a paper bag and store in a warm, dry, well ventilated room for two to three weeks.

HANGING METHOD

Bundle three or four sprigs of rosemary together and tie with kitchen twine. Label and hang to dry in a well ventilated room for two to three weeks.

DEHYDRATOR METHOD

Lay rosemary sprigs on dehydrator trays with plenty of space between each sprig. Dehydrate at very low temperatures, 95°F or 35°C. It will likely take 8 to 10 hours depending on humidity levels. For faster drying remove the leaves from the stems, but that’s totally optional.

OVEN METHOD

Ideally, herbs are dried at very low temperatures. You don’t want to bake them, you just want to remove the moisture from inside. When oven drying, set your oven to the lowest possible setting and keep an eye out on your herbs. Place sprigs on a parchment lined baking sheet and dry until rosemary feels brittle. Exact time will vary depending on your oven temp.

MICROWAVE METHOD

Strip rosemary leaves from the stem and sandwich in a single layer between two pieces of paper towel. Place in microwave for 30 seconds at medium to high power. Take rosemary out of the microwave and allow to cool for 30 seconds. Test to see if any are dry and brittle. Remove those that are, rotate those that aren’t and return them to the microwave for another 30 seconds. Repeat until all leaves are dry.