Drying Herbs

 

You can use dried herbs to create all sorts of “giftable” items, including culinary herb mixes, herb teas and potpourri. Dry herbs the same way you dry flowers — gather the stems into small bunches with rubber bands, and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, dark place. Cover them with a paper bag to keep the dust off. If humidity makes air-drying impossible, dry them in a warm oven or use a Food Dehydrator.

Following are a few ideas for transforming dried herbs into gifts. Package the herbs in an airtight container or plastic bag, listing the ingredients on a label. Include a recipe card with suggested uses.