Get your dry Lemon Balm from your car. If you followed me and put some lemon balm in a paper bag to dry then, it is time to bottle our herbs. This is the easiest way to dry herbs but only if you have a warm dry climate at the time you are drying. If you have any doubt about the weather drying your herbs in three days or less than use a food dryer to insure you don't grow mold on your leaves. If you would like to try dried Lemon Balm with out the work try my favorite herb supplier!
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Now this is important!
You are your own quality control. For myself I have to get the clean glasses on and turn up the lights and look carefully and consciously at the plant leaves I am gathering.
If I find a leaf that is darker than the others I remove it.
If I hold a stalk of lemon balm at the bottom and pull it through my fingers I get the dried leaves. Now I like to put my dried herbs in labeled dated bottles and keep them cool and dark.
Anyone for a cup of tea?
I would like to know how I could spot a moldy leaf compared to a healthy one? I tried drying some lemon balm by hanging, some by spreading out on paper towels and some by microwaving it at the lowest setting. In the microwave the leaves turned dark brown/black pretty soon (I assume this is normal?). On the paper towels they turned dark n sometimes black too with only a few green ones. (is this mold?) and the ones hanging are still drying (4 days so far) and they seem to look the most "healthy" green (with a few exceptions) but I'ld love to know or have a picture of how/what a moldy leaf looks like so I make sure I discard it.
ReplyDeleteI could provide some pictures if needed.