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Storing Herbs

© Pier Jones

Exposure to heat, light, and air will destroy your dried harvest. I have lost many a harvest because I forgot to check the herbs for moisture after storage, or left them out as "ornamentation." I generally place a wadded paper towel in the top and bottom of my dried herb containers, just in case moisture gets in; it seems to give me a little extra time to catch it before it does damage. And herbs left out as decoration, invariably collect too much dust to be used in cooking or teas; not to mention the depletion of their properties that occurs from exposure to heat, light, and air when left hanging. These have been hard lessons learned (my methods are mostly trial and error), but maybe they are mistakes that I can prevent you from making.

So, how should the herbs be stored? In a cool place, out of direct sunlight, in tightly sealed containers, with little air space. Cool, dark closets and cabinets are my first choice. Much to my husband's chagrin, however, my closet-and-cabinets-method has now become a whole room!

If you can find dark glass containers in which to store your herbs, those are best, as they further prevent light penetration. You'll be amazed at the jars you can collect through the year, if you are paying attention. Most of my seasoning and liquor bottles are dark glass, as well as most vitamin bottles. All of these are usually a good size for storing quantities of culinary herbs and herbal vinegars. Glass is my first choice for storing herbs, whether clear or colored. If clear, I just try to keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Ceramic or pottery bottles and jars are also good, if you can tightly seal the opening. Sometimes I use tins for storage, but always line them with wax paper or paper towels.

I prefer not to use plastic bags routinely (the off-gassing of plastics is not something I want my herbs exposed to-whether used for flavor or for medicinal purposes), however, they are good in a pinch, and are easily reduced in size as you remove herbs from them. And, if you then place the plastic bag inside a brown paper sack, you have a container that is airtight and light-filtering. Do not use paper sacks alone to store your herbs; they are not airtight and they absorb the plant's oils.

After proper drying, the most important aspect of storing your dried herbs is the LABEL! This is another good lesson I have learned the hard way. Oh, I knew I should have labeled those herbs,

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