Yuck the whole point to me of growing my herbs is to put something natural in my body that has not been contaminated. Don't use a microwave as a matter of fact throw that thing in the trash haha. Jk!
I tried this with some basil fresh from the garden. I placed the basil between layers of paper towel and ran the microwave in 10 second bursts, checking it after each time. It only took about 30 seconds and the basil was completely dry and was still bright green, it looked gorgeous. BUT...... there was no more fragrance, none at all. But when I dry it on the counter between paper towels, it takes forever and a day but the basil is still as fragrant as when I picked it from the garden.
I know this method seems easy, yet after having read up on the dangers of microwaves, I certainly would not dry herbs in that way. Microwaving literally kills ALL the nutrition in your food and actually changes the molecular structure of whatever it is heating. If you are wanting to preserve the nutrition in your herbs that would not be the best route to go. Drying outside in the shade is a more natrual way as well as a low heat setting in the oven or better yet, a dehydrator.
sorry but we all have to politely disagree with you. microwaves do not kill all nutrition, they merely cause the atoms to move against each other, which heats them up.
@erochow And once the atoms are moved from their natural order they die. Do some research on the subject like @ssteph100 - there have been plenty of studies that prove nutritional value is destroyed with microwaves.
why it fresh basil from supermarkets doesnt wil in the packagin where as if you pick basil you grow urself it starts to wilt almost instantly. Im sure they must spray herbs with some kind of preservative. It isnt just the packaging that keeps it fresh looking is it. That the worst thing about supermarket food, the moment it has been picked of the plant it has lost its freshness.
This is actually a really neat way to do it! Ive been looking for an easy way to dry my basil, since I'll need to dry alot more ill have plenty of trials to experiment with power settings and time. Thanks for this idea and ill let you know how it works with basil!
Yuck the whole point to me of growing my herbs is to put something natural in my body that has not been contaminated. Don't use a microwave as a matter of fact throw that thing in the trash haha. Jk!
LowVitaminDgirl 7 months ago
i have a mint plant randomly growing in the front of my house... lol i have no idea what kind it is >.<
xXMikuGirlXx 10 months ago
thank you, this was very helpfull :)
tears4forfears 1 year ago
I tried this with some basil fresh from the garden. I placed the basil between layers of paper towel and ran the microwave in 10 second bursts, checking it after each time. It only took about 30 seconds and the basil was completely dry and was still bright green, it looked gorgeous. BUT...... there was no more fragrance, none at all. But when I dry it on the counter between paper towels, it takes forever and a day but the basil is still as fragrant as when I picked it from the garden.
prairiepatch 1 year ago
@prairiepatch interesting, i have not had that experience. but i'm glad you told us about that. eric.
erochow 1 year ago
I know this method seems easy, yet after having read up on the dangers of microwaves, I certainly would not dry herbs in that way. Microwaving literally kills ALL the nutrition in your food and actually changes the molecular structure of whatever it is heating. If you are wanting to preserve the nutrition in your herbs that would not be the best route to go. Drying outside in the shade is a more natrual way as well as a low heat setting in the oven or better yet, a dehydrator.
ssteph100 2 years ago
sorry but we all have to politely disagree with you. microwaves do not kill all nutrition, they merely cause the atoms to move against each other, which heats them up.
erochow 2 years ago
@erochow And once the atoms are moved from their natural order they die. Do some research on the subject like @ssteph100 - there have been plenty of studies that prove nutritional value is destroyed with microwaves.
gumonthepants 9 months ago
why it fresh basil from supermarkets doesnt wil in the packagin where as if you pick basil you grow urself it starts to wilt almost instantly. Im sure they must spray herbs with some kind of preservative. It isnt just the packaging that keeps it fresh looking is it. That the worst thing about supermarket food, the moment it has been picked of the plant it has lost its freshness.
14CPO 2 years ago
what about the radiation,is it in the spirit
of health..?
bestonlinediamonds 2 years ago
i just dryed all my herbs and it was so fast i did all my herbs and packed then up it was great
TnWormsCastings 2 years ago
This is actually a really neat way to do it! Ive been looking for an easy way to dry my basil, since I'll need to dry alot more ill have plenty of trials to experiment with power settings and time. Thanks for this idea and ill let you know how it works with basil!
stupidjews 3 years ago
great. let us know how it works out. if you go to the Gardenfork site we have a great viewer discussion section.
thx, eric.
erochow 3 years ago
it looked like the chives stuck to the wax paper a bit, did you get wax on your herbs?
mywootgarden 3 years ago
hi there, the wax does not melt, the chives stuck because some of the stems were still a bit moist. but its a great way to dry herbs.
thx, eric.
erochow 3 years ago