How to dry oregano

Among the most used aromatic herbs at the culinary level is the famous oregano. This seasoning, apart from giving a delicious flavor to meals, is very easy to grow at home. Therefore, it is not surprising that many people choose to acquire one or more of these aromatic plants. However, it is not the most common to use fresh oregano leaves. It is much more common to season foods with dried oregano. But do you know how to dry oregano?

In this article we will first explain how to cut the oregano to later dry it and how to do this task step by step. So do not hesitate to continue reading if you have oregano at home but do not know how to dry it to use it in the kitchen. I'm sure this information will be useful to you!

How do you cut oregano to dry?

As we have already mentioned before, growing this aromatic herb at home is not complicated at all. However, if we want to use it to season our dishes, First we must know how to dry oregano. Before explaining how to do it step by step, we will first comment on how to cut this plant.

So that we can make the most of both the aroma and the properties of oregano, there is a little trick that we can apply. When cutting the branches, we must pick those that are in flower. Therefore, the best thing we can do to obtain an oregano with the maximum aroma is to collect the branches of this plant and dry them just after it has flowered, before the seeds begin to ripen.

Related article:

What to know about growing oregano

And when is this? Well, the best time of year to collect oregano branches is in late spring. In addition, this way we will have time to take advantage of the sun to dry the oregano. Of course, the more careful the plant is, the better it will be as a condiment.

As for the amount that we should cut, it will depend on how we want to dry the plant. There are those who prefer to pick only the leaves, while others collect whole branches to dry them by hanging them upside down. If this is the first time you have dried your own oregano, you can try both options and see which result you like best. For the branches, it is important to cut them in the middle of the stem or at ground level.

How to dry oregano so it doesn't turn black?

Now that we know how and when to cut this vegetable, let's see how to dry oregano. There are two possibilities to carry out this task: Hang the branches upside down or dry only the leaves, either in the oven or in the sun. We will start by explaining the first option step by step:

1. Collect the oregano branches: Cut the ones you want and clean them well, removing all the dirt.
2. Tie the branches together: They should not be more than five or six so that they do not take longer than necessary to dry.
3. Hang the branches upside down: It is important that we look for a dark and cool place for it. If we do not have a place without light, we can choose to wrap the branches in newspaper.
4. Wait for them to dry: When the leaves are completely dry, that is, without any soft area to the touch, we can take the branches and cut the dried oregano leaves into small pieces.

It should be said that the time it can take for the branches to dry depends mainly on the area in which we are. While in some places the oregano will be ready in a matter of days, in others it can even take weeks. If we want to shorten the waiting time a bit, a good trick is Choose a site that is well ventilated and has low humidity.

oven dried

We can also simply choose drying in the oven. We can do this both with oregano leaves and with other aromatic plants, such as parsley, mint, thyme, basil or sage. To do this we must follow the following steps:

1. Turn on the oven: Before inserting the leaves, the oven must be at a temperature of 82 degrees.
2. Place the sheets: You have to spread the oregano leaves on a rack or on a tray covered with baking paper.
3. Bake: Place the leaves in the oven for 15 minutes. Then we turn it over and leave it again for another 15 minutes. On some occasions, they can take up to an hour to dry completely.
4. Wait for the leaves to cool down: It is of the utmost importance that we wait for the leaves to cool before putting them in a container and storing them. It's best to leave them at room temperature for at least forty minutes before cutting and storing.

How to dry oregano leaves without oven?

In the event that we want to dry only the oregano leaves without actually using the oven, we can take advantage of the sun. Let’s see the steps we must follow to do so:

1. Get a mosquito net or tight mesh: Once we have it, we have to stretch it orienting it to the sun.
2. Spread the leaves or twigs: When it is placed, we will extend the branches or the oregano leaves on top of it. The more space we can leave between them, the better.
3. Turn them over: It is essential to rotate the leaves from time to time so that they dry equally on both sides.

It should be noted that this method It is not recommended if we live in humid areas, so it might not work.

How is oregano preserved?

We already have the oregano dried and cut into small pieces. And now that? Normally not many grams of this seasoning are added to foods, just a little for the aroma. Obviously, we are not going to throw away all the oregano that we have left over, but we are going to keep it. For this it is essential that we have a glass jar or other container, but with hermetic closure. This is essential if we want to keep it for a long time. Generally, oregano is stored this way for about a year.

Now that you know how to dry oregano, you can try it at home and enjoy some delicious dishes. This aromatic plant is delicious in salads, pasta and pizzas.