Here’s how to air dry basil:
- Cut the basil leaves from the stem with scissors. ...
- Tie the individual leaves together with a twist-tie or string and hang them up on a hook in a well ventilated and somewhat sunny location to dry.
- After about two weeks, your basil leaves will be completely dried. ...
- Now you can store the dried leaves in a resealable glass or similar container.
What is the best way to dry Basil?
Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Hanging the Basil to Dry Download Article
- Gather the leaves in bunches. Group the prepped leaves in a bundle and tie them together at their stems with a rubber band or twist tie.
- Hang leaves to dry. Hang your bundles of basil from a hook or wall tack to dry. ...
- Let the basil hang for two weeks. ...
- Use the crushed dried basil now in your recipes. ...
How to dry Basil in a dehydrator?
To dehydrate basil, follow these steps:
- Place the basil in the dehydrator
- Put the dehydrator on the lowest setting, about 95°F, or on the herbs setting
- Dehydrate the basil leaves until they become crispy and crumbly
What is the best way to preserve Basil?
What Are Some Ways to Preserve Fresh Basil?
- Freeze Basil Leaves Getty Images One of the easiest ways to preserve basil is to freeze the basil leaves. ...
- Make Basil Cubes Want to add fresh flavor to a winter soup? Toss in a basil cube. ...
- Make Pesto Cubes Flickr: Rachel Tayse I crave fresh pesto during the wintertime and pesto cubes are a happy reminder of summer right from the freezer! ...
How to preserve fresh basil in winter?
- Basil tends to turn black when it's frozen. If maintaining that bright green color is important to you, use option 3.
- Oil should only be added to basil if it will be frozen. ...
- If you're planning to use your basil in heated dishes, add your frozen basil directly to the pot. ...
How do you dry and store holy basil?
Dry the basil by tying several bunches together with some twine and hang them upside down in a cool, dark and well-ventilated area. Once dry, you can smash the leaves up and store them in a plastic container. Dried holy basil will keep for around a year.
What is the best way to dry fresh basil?
Place the basil in a food dehydrator. If not, put it on the lowest setting, which should be about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This method will take about 12–24 hours depending on the moisture content in the basil. Dehydrate the basil until the leaves become crisp and crumble easily.
What part of holy basil do you use?
All parts of the plant might be used in supplements and topical ointments. Essential oil of holy basil is distilled from leaves and flowers of the plant. You can also make holy basil tea using the leaves, flowers, or dried leaf powder.
How do you dry and preserve tulsi leaves?
Lay out tulsi sprigs and leaves in a single layer on a clean dish towel or drying rack. Allow to sit for one full day to wilt. Once the herb is wilted, heat water to 190 degrees F or just below boiling. Place the wilted tulsi in a quart canning jar.
Is it better to freeze or dry basil?
Is your garden overflowing with basil? You can dry it or freeze it, but freezing retains the fresh taste better. Before you start, wash basil in cold water and dry; a salad spinner works well for this step.
Do you need to wash basil before drying?
Do You Wash Basil Before Drying? Yes! Simply fill a sink with cool water and gently swish stems around to clean them. Lay them out, single layer, on a towel or hang to dry.
Who should not take holy basil?
Holy basil is probably safe for most people; however, Pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who are trying to become pregnant, and people with type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and those undergoing surgery should avoid holy basil.
Should I let holy basil flower?
If you are cultivating basil strictly for its leaves, it is best to remove the flowers. Pinching basil blooms back will allow all of the plant's energy to stay focused on foliage production, creating a bushier plant with more leaves and maintaining higher levels of essential oils in the leaves.
Is holy basil good for high blood pressure?
Tulsi leaves or holy basil is known to be an effective treatment for high blood pressure. According to the journal Studies of Ethno-Medicine, combination of neem and tulsi was beneficial to lower the blood pressure levels due to their active compounds.
Can tulsi leaves be dried?
It can be used fresh or in its dry form. It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Tulsi tea can be made by brewing the dried leaves. It can be used as an ingredient in many preparations like essential oil.
What can I do with too much basil?
Too Much Basil?Dipping Oil – Chop finely and mix with other herbs such as thyme, oregano, minced garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. ... Pizza Topping – Try adding torn basil leaves as a pizza topping.Caprese Salad – Nothing says summer like a Caprese salad.More items...•
What is difference between basil and tulsi?
Both tulsi and basil belong to the Lamiaceae family. The edible basil leaves are mainly used for culinary dishes whereas tulsi is mainly used as an indigenous medicinal ingredient. This is the main difference between tulsi and basil.
How do you dry basil without it turning brown?
How do you dry basil so it doesn't turn brown? To dry basil so it doesn't turn brown, use the lowest temperature setting on your dehydrator, and ensure you never overcook it in the microwave or oven.
How long does dried basil last?
Dried herbs typically last 1–3 years. Examples include: basil.
What can I do with lots of fresh basil?
How to Use BasilTop whole leaves onto pizza.Finish pasta with whole or thinly sliced leaves.Blend it into sauces.Puree it into soups.Chop it up to add to a salad.Use it to garnish avocado toast.Turn it into an ice cream topping! Jazz up vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries, basil, and a balsamic reduction.
Can you freeze fresh basil for later use?
Simply chop leaves, stuff them into ice cube trays, cover with cold water, and freeze. The frozen basil bits will turn black as soon as they thaw, but they will still taste like basil. Frozen basil cigars are a great way to store basil with large leaves that can hold up to brief blanching.
Preparing and Cleaning Your Basil
While there are many ways you can dry basil, most require the same type of preparation.
4 Ways to Dry Your Basil
Once you’ve washed your basil and it’s dry, there are a few options for you to be able to dehydrate or dry out your basil.
1. Air Drying or Sun Drying Your Basil
Air drying your herbs is a time-tested method that works well, but it does take quite a bit of time. Herbs generally need to hang for about 2 weeks before it’s fully dry and ready to be stored.
2. Drying Basil in the Oven
Drying basil in the oven is my second favorite method to preserve basil. It takes a heck of a lot less time than it would to dry outside, and still retains much of the flavor.
3. Drying Basil in the Microwave
If you’re in a time crunch, you can definitely use the microwave to accomplish the process of drying your basil. While it seems to remove the most flavor, it is by far the fastest method for drying fresh basil.
4. Drying Basil with a Dehydrator
A dehydrator is a great tool to have in your home, especially as you start growing more and more herbs, vegetables, and fruits and want to preserve them through the winter.
How to Store Dried Basil
Once you’ve dried your basil, you’ll want to properly store it away for later use.
Growing the Best Basil for Drying
Before you can dry basil, you’ll want to make sure you’re growing healthy leaves. Our comprehensive basil growing guide has all the info you need to maximize your harvest.
When to Harvest Basil
Picking leaves from your basil plant the right way is essential to the drying process. Frequent picking is a signal to your plant to keep producing. It will also encourage it to grow bushy instead of leggy and tall. Snip flowers to encourage leaf growth and prevent the plant from going to seed.
Why Bother Drying Basil?
Unless you’ve eaten so much basil throughout the summer that you’ve grown sick of it, chances are you’ll crave the herb once winter rolls around and cuts off your fresh supply of leaves.
Drying Basil
The key to drying basil is to eliminate moisture content without burning the leaves. Too much moisture left behind can result in mold growth, while high heat can scorch your leaves. Always thoroughly wash and blot basil before setting it out to dry.
Storing Dried Basil
Don’t forget to store your dried herbs properly. Improper storage can strip your dried flakes of flavor. Store basil in an airtight container away from light. A cupboard is ideal, and make sure to choose the right type of container.
How to Air Dry Basil
The most eco-friendly way of drying your own fresh herbs is leaving them out to air dry. (Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Pixabay - Kkolosov)
How to Dry Basil in the Oven
If you don’t have the time to air-dry your herbs, you can use another method. Here’s how to dry basil in the oven: Simply spread your fresh basil leaves evenly on a baking tray and bake at the lowest temperature possible for about 20 minutes. Leave the baking tray in the closed oven overnight to ensure that the basil leaves are completely dry.
The Benefits to Drying Basil Leaves
Learning how to dry basil helps reduce food waste and eliminates the need for plastic packaging. (Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Unsplash - Stephanie Studer)
If Not Dried, Frozen
Learning how to dry basil is just the start. There are endless ways to combat climate change by reducing food waste. Freezing fresh herbs is just the start. Check out Utopia’s own guides on storing food like a pro in the freezer:
An Anti-Aging Adaptogen That Protects the Heart and Brain
Sherry Christiansen is a medical writer with a healthcare background. She has worked in the hospital setting and collaborated on Alzheimer's research.
Health Benefits
Hindu people worship holy basil. It's considered the "Mother Medicine of Nature." It’s been revered since ancient times as an herb that can promote a healthy body, mind, and spirit.
Possible Side Effects
In the 2017 review, the only specific side effect reported was mild nausea that went away with continued use. All of the reviewed studies reported either no side effects or mild ones. 2
Selection, Preparation, and Storage
Unlike prescription drugs, herbal supplements aren't regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s not always easy to identify which products are potent and pure.
Summary
Holy basil is an adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and more. It may be beneficial for many conditions. Research is in its early stages but it's starting to support some of the traditional uses.
A Word From Verywell
Holy basil appears promising. Still, not enough long-term, quality studies have been done. Its safety and effectiveness still need to be proven.
Step 1: Pick and Wash Your Basil Leaves
First things first, go out into your garden and cut some stems off your basil plants.
Step 2: Banish the Unworthy Leaves!
After a few minutes of soaking, pluck individual basil stems out of the sink and inspect the leaves for sunburned edges, big holes, or anything else you don't want to end up in your dinner. "And lo the good basil leaves shalt be placed upon a cloth laid down for them, while the evil basil shall be banished to the sink of rinsing, and from thence to the bin where it shall be forever cast down." (The holy book of basil 6:14) ;).
Step 3: Sort the Basil Into Bunches
Next take your good basil and arrange it into bunches with the cut part of the stems at the top of the bunch (so you can tie string around them later).
Step 4: Ropin' Ropin' Ropin That Basil for the Win
Use some string, or plant twine, or wool, or whatever you have handy, to securely tie the stemmy end of your bunched-up basil.
Step 5: String 'em Up!
The next step is to hang your bunches of basil up for drying. You will need a dry spot out of the sun - I recommend a high spot in your kitchen.
Step 6: The Drying of the Basil
Now for the patience part - you will need to give your basil a good 4 weeks before it will be properly dried.
Step 7: Done!
After 4 weeks (or thereabouts) your basil will have dried beautifully and be ready to be stored away, turned into beautiful home-made gifts, or scoffed with great gusto and much praise for gardening and Instructables. If I'm feeling industrious I like to carefully remove the dried basil leaves from the stem and store the leaves in an air-tight container. If I'm feeling lazy I just stick the leaves and stems in a ziplock bag for when I'm feeling industrious - see above, rinse repeat ;) And that's it! With your own stock of dried basil on hand you'll never have to buy the (inferior) stuff from the shops again, and the leaves make a great little gift if you put them in a pretty glass jar (a cleaned coffee jar tied with ribbon is a good recyclable option). I hope this Instructable has been helpful :) If you have any questions or suggestions please let me know in the comments. - Harmony.
Step 1
Rinse tulsi sprigs in cool water to remove dust. Shake the sprigs well and lay them on paper towels to dry thoroughly.
Step 2
Remove any damaged leaves by pinching or cutting them away from the stem.
Step 3
Gather the sprigs into loose bundles and tie the stem ends together with string or fasten a rubber band around them.
Step 4
Cut a dime-sized hole in the bottom of a small brown bag, like a lunch bag. Slide the bundled tulsi stems through the hole, and allow the bag to cover the herbs like an umbrella. The bag will act as a dust shield while the herbs are drying.
Step 5
Hang the bags of tulsi from hooks in a warm, dry place with good ventilation, such as your pantry. Make certain you choose a warm space where the herbs will dry quickly. Plants in the mint family have a tendency to mold and discolor if they are dried too slowly, according to the North Carolina State University Extension website.
Step 6
Remove the herbs from their hooks when they are brittle and dry. Pick whole leaves off of their stems and store them in an airtight container, such as a freezer bag or a canning jar with a lid. Label the container with the date and contents, and store it in a cool, dry area away from direct light or heat.
Step 1
Cut your holy basil with a sharp knife just above the bottom two or three sets of true leaves. This should be done right before the day heats up, but after the dew dries off the plant. Leave enough leaves on the holy basil plant so that it will keep growing.
Step 2
Examine each holy basil sprig cutting for bugs and insects. Hold the sprigs upside down and shake vigorously to dislodge any hitchhikers. Flick off any visible bugs on the leaves.
Step 3
Check the leaves for discoloration, disease and damage. Pinch off any of these leaves and discard.
Step 4
Tie your holy basil sprigs together in bunches. Wrap a piece of twine or a rubber band around the bottom of the sprigs.
Step 5
Hang the holy basil upside down in a dark, cool area. Dry basil at lower temperatures to keep the color and aroma in the leaves. Your holy basil will be ready to be stored in two weeks.
Step 6
Pull off the dried holy basil leaves and place them in a dark colored glass jar with an airtight lid. Discard the stems. Use your holy basil within one year; after that it will lose its flavor, color and smell.
History and Lore of Holy Basil
One of the most potent stories of Tulsi lives in the Hindu tradition. Here, our friend is associated with the preserver god Vishnu and Vrinda, his greatest devotee. Vrinda died of shock and heartbreak when Vishnu tricked her into believing he was her husband.
How to Grow Tulsi in a Pot
For most places in the US, Tulsi won’t love growing outside. It’s native to the warmer areas India where the soil is dark and fertile, the air is humid, and the sun is bright most of the time. You can grow Holy Basil in a pot.
How to Use Tulsi Holy Basil in Herbal Medicine Making
The uses of Tulsi in herbal medicine are vast. She is a tonic plant that brings a sense of harmony to any user that stays open enough to accept the transformation she is offering.
Health Benefits
Possible Side Effects
- In the 2017 review, the only specific side effect reported was mild nausea that went away with continued use. All of the reviewed studies reported either no side effects or mild ones.2 However, the longest study was only 13 weeks long. So the possible long-term side effects are unknown.8
Selection, Preparation, and Storage
- Unlike prescription drugs, herbal supplements aren't regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s not always easy to identify which products are potent and pure. Choose a product that's certified organic, ethically wild-harvested, all-natural, and certified by a third-party organization such as: 1. U.S. Pharmacopeia 2. NSF International 3. ConsumerLab.com These or…
Summary
- Holy basil is an adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and more. It may be beneficial for many conditions. Research is in its early stages but it's starting to support some of the traditional uses. Side effects may include mild, transient nausea. Some studies reported no side effects. However, longer-term studies need to be done. It's best not to take holy basil if you're trying to conceive or …
A Word from Verywell
- Holy basil appears promising. Still, not enough long-term, quality studies have been done. Its safety and effectiveness still need to be proven. If you want to try it, talk to your healthcare provider, buy from a reputable source, and take it as directed.