Why I Crush My Dehydrated Herbs

[@jojow8416]

Dear Heidi, each morning when I click on your daily video that you so kindly, generously and lovingly create for us, it feels like a dear friend has dropped in for a visit. Since my accident I can no longer drive, or even walk distances without assistance, so I deeply value and am so grateful to you for dropping in to share your knowledge. Thank you and God Bless you dear Sister-In-Jesus.

[@magsstewart5488]

I’m not personally growing anything intentional this year, but when I have grown full gardens with intent, I preserved herbs just by hang drying, because I can here. I never even packaged stuff, lol! Just walked into the pantry with a bowl or pot and crunched a little of whatever I wanted straight into the recipe. Frugality borne of laziness. 😳

[@sharonparker2262]

Great point about feeling dryness with your fingers. Especially for prolific growers like sage, oregano, basil, thyme.

[@ccwriter2544]

I definitely want to get one of those vacuum seal pumps! Right now, I 'collect' jars on the counter until I have a bunch. Then I drag my big machine out of storage to seal them all up.

[@sallyeblen7032]

Again I've learned so much from you. I am new to dehydrating . thank you

[@heatherlavender8236]

Thanks I appreciate it and all you talk about keep up the great work and many blessings!

[@susanlozano428]

This was perfect video for me right now. I just Dehydrated a bunch of sage from my garden. I was going to powder, but I like using my hands. Great video

[@melissaorona2834]

Your videos always inspire me in some way or other. Just wanted to thank you for that. May you, your family, and your gardens be blessed.

[@chrismaryb.7409]

Thanks Heidi 😊

[@rhondawelker6742]

Thank you Heidi. I always enjoy your herb videos. 😃

[@williamwoods8765]

Hello Rhonda

[@Monkchip]

I have found that to happen with herbs and greens that I dehydrate or hang to dry. I found the moistness by accident when I was attempting to powder, and I'm so glad I did. The stems are as much a part of preserving, usually, as the leaves and flowers. For me, I strip the leaves from the stems and dry them separately. I chop up the stems by hand before I dry them on a separate tray than the leaves. Otherwise, if I left it whole for drying, I'm extending the dry time, which over-dries the leaves.

[@patrickdockendorf6332]

God Bless you Heidi!! I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I have learned from you and enjoy watching your videos! God has blessed you with this earthly knowledge and experience as well as your willingness to share with others! God gave me the desire to learn and to use nature that He has provided around us since I was young. If you ever decided to do a day or two women’s retreat to learn but yo connect with other like minded women, I’d be interested! May God give you favor and bless you with good health!! Rhonda from Minnesota

[@moniquea62]

That is a wonderful idea..I would love to participate 🥰

[@JoyOfJamie]

I store both full and crushed leaves and use the vacuum chamber 😃

[@livingtherufflife]

I’ve been crushing my herbs the same as u with a small roller, but only blend the celery cause of the stems. I agree about crushing with my hands, my last batch of basil seemed dry until i started to crush them & put it all back in the dryer. Ty for your videos, very helpful & confirming for some of my decisions in storing.

[@RLCinGA]

I was literally crushing my dehydrated parsley while watching the video.

[@grsartofworship4352]

Love love love this. Great info!

[@maxibake9323]

I'm part way there, I got Sage, Turnip, Mizuna, & more Onion seeds Today. (Turnips haven't been easy to find IDK why.) I'd like to get one of those old Victorian Laundry thingies you hang from the ceiling, they're great for drying Herbs on. Love all the Pretty Jars full of goodness, & your shirt matches the Japonica. Lol. TFS RC, & take care too everyone. ❤🙂🐶

[@lynettetucker544]

Hi Heidi very good suggestions to try crushing with your fingers first ✨.

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

Good morning Rain Country. There's nothing like the dry feel of crushed herbs.

[@lindahamilton3520]

Thank you ☺️

[@deannajordan9031]

Awesome thank you!

[@annettep.1605]

Mrs. Heidi, you're so amazing.

[@shangri-lahomestead2895]

I totally agree with you about crushing herbs. It’s definitely the best way to go for me.

[@justjenn9011]

I have to crush my basil to make sure its dry, sometimes it feels dry until you go to crush it up, then you see its still moist. Havent had issue with much of anything else. Mainly because my sage and others that do this, i use fresh because i dont have much of it. But my other leaves that i dry arnt as thick and dry fine. Thanks for all the tips! Love your videos! Always the first one i click on each day!

[@volcessa]

Randy was the caboose!

[@xzkt]

Thanks for all the tips. See Heidi, you can teach an old dog new tricks! lol If I watch a video more than one time do you get multiple view credits? There are times when I watch a video again, sometimes months down the road, to make sure I remember the information you shared.

[@carolynmoody9460]

Thank you for all you do 🤗 Blessings ❤️

[@shelleygiesbrecht4759]

This video is great timing! I have been working on dehydrating the plants I foraged last week, and I want to make sure they are done properly.

[@brightstarr57]

Great system for storage! 👍

[@Lulu-he9dp]

So much valuable information again. I don't have herbs grown to preserve (YET), but learning all I can for when I do. Have purchased some seeds and planning what I need and want. Thank you!!!

[@rosehavenfarm2969]

I do the same, and take apart flowers. All except violets, since they're so teensy-weensy. I don't powder my (raw) eggs, either. I just crush them down with the handle of a wooden spoon. Typically I get 15 (dehydrated) eggs in a pint.

[@debbiefockler9890]

I found that cilantro had little flavor when dehydrating. I freeze them in ice cube trays with lime juice. I use two cubes when I make my guacamole. I also crush my herbs after dehydrating to save one space. Thank you for all of your information. God bless.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Right, cilantro is the one herb I will freeze for that very reason

[@sophiagrace8362]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge I've been saving leaves off most of my plants due to their medicinal benifets and I have plan to expand my herbal garden more each year

[@maria_w311]

Hi Heidi 👋

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thank you Heidi! 🙂 This year I finally found a place where the basil is happy and is growing nicely. Have you tried freezing basil in olive oil? I'd really like to save that fresh flavor.😍 And yes, sometimes it's not about using another jar. It's about saving space in the pantry.🥴 I sometimes wonder if Creator laughs as we're blessed So Much! 😄 Love and blessings! 💜

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I have considered freezing in oil but always change my mind, I have been pretty happy with the flavor my home grown dehydrated basil retains, so much better than even the best quality store bought dried basil

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

@@RainCountryHomestead I did that too and it is better. I just hope it continues to hang in there until the tomatoes are ready. Another 100° day ...

[@melissaorona2834]

Hi, Trish. I dehydrate most of my basil but I did freeze a batch in olive oil this summer. It stored easily and has retained its lovely green color so far (about 8 weeks later). I haven't tasted it preserved this way yet, but am hopeful we'll be enjoying pesto a couple of times this winter. Each method of preservation serves its purpose. Best to you.

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

@@melissaorona2834 Thank you Melissa! 💚🤗

[@blessedbloominghomestead9134]

The same is true with basil, you think they’re dry, but find some aren’t. I put mine in a bowl and rub them between the palms of my hands. A friend gave me a fully stuffed gallon ziplock bag of elderberries. They finished dehydrating and I have just over a quart jar now (I think). I haven’t put them in a jar yet, just a canister. I plan on putting them in a pint jar with a piece of dehydrated ginger, half a cinnamon stick, a couple cardamom pods and a couple pieces of star anise. Then when I need syrup, I can make it quickly. Many Blessings!!

[@trinashumblehomestead]

Thank you Heidi for sharing your wisdom! I refer to you in several of my videos. I have learned so much from you as far as dehydrating and i appreciate it!! I did harvest some nettle. I am going to try it for my allergies and some anti-inflammatory, as well as just the basic benefits it offers. So i made a tincture. Then i dehydrated some. When i went to powder it, it still had some sting. Not as much, but did i not dry it enough? Is it ok to use it? Thanks again! I appreciate you :)

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I do notice mine still feels like it is stinging but that is not what you are feeling, if it was actually the sting, it would stay longer in your skin so what you are feeling are the many tiny needles poking your skin but the venom is inactive

[@cheriwarren4524]

Rubbed sage I can't seem to grow enough of it we do sage noodles a lot lol

[@cathyann6835]

I dehydrate my herbs. Storing the jars of dried herbs is easier. I don't have to worry about losing them if the power goes out. I dry many types of food too.

[@TheLadyLair]

I’m going to try freeze drying them.

[@JVsNorthwoodsHomestead]

I harvested some goldenrod a few days ago, I just tied them up by their stems and hung them up to dry. There was was barely enough for 1 dehydrator shelf, so I figured it wasnt worth it.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, hanging herbs to dry when you do not live in a humid climate like ours is a great way to go about it

[@teeky-rh9lz]

I bought it. love it.

[@claratarver3138]

I don't know a lot about fresh herbs and storage. My question is why do you crush your roses and are there just any kind of rose you crush? Maybe you have a link you can stear me toward. Thank you. Love your videos.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I did explain in the video why I crush any of the herbs, that is why I did the video in the first place, I crush the roses for the same reason I crush the rest of them. All roses can be used though some are more medicinal than others

[@eggcluck]

I bought one of those cheap vacuum pumps, it broke on the first jar of powdered milk. It pulled a little powder into the housing as it is not sealed airtight and then that caused the gasket to come off. The handle was also too small and caused a blister on my hand.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I have used mine for at least a couple of months and often and it is still going strong. Did you send it back?

[@eggcluck]

@@RainCountryHomestead I chose not to try and send it back as I wanted to keep the lid cups that come with it and try them with a brake bleeder.

[@judy3217]

I want to purchase one of those pumps. Maybe 2

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I am not sure which you are talking about but you can check out my links in the description box

[@davide2711]

With the upcoming collapse you will be one of the survivors for sure.

[@enisasefer1074]

Hi Heidi 🥰how and for what you using dry comfrey?? Thank you 💖💖

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Mostly for infusing in oil to use in skin salves and creams but can be used in teas

[@KimandFrank]

I'm still learning how much to dehydrate because eating it was in a year or so has been a challenge because we put up so much

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Part of it too though is finding more ways it can be used dried or how to use them dried besides just tossing into soups. I am still always experimenting. I will never freeze or can pumpkin ever again because dehydrating it is so much better and the pumpkin, when powdered, has all the same uses as it does pureed from a can. Pies, breads, icings, cookies, pancakes, coffee flavoring, and much more. Herbs get used to make teas, medicinal extracts, oil infusions, seasoning, and so on

[@KimandFrank]

@@RainCountryHomestead so true the last couple years we've pretty much been in quarantine and we do curbside pickup and pretty much do meat rabbits and a lot of gardening in the last 4 years. This year we opted out on the garden because of Health and we've had a lot going on so it's kind of been nice. We have so much going on with all the volunteers. It's really beautiful because my strawberry spinach is just everywhere and it's so pretty. I have lemon balm everywhere. Before the goats and the chickens left they pretty much scattered everything from here to there and we have three acres and maybe one acre area where the animals are maybe not quite an acre. So anyway we've gotten a little bit complacent in our diet. So your message reply was awesome because it reminds me I need to keep the spark in meal planning. It's really easy to Sidetrack and leave out the veggies so got to work on those carbs. Thanks for sharing I always love your videos and watch them. I've watched all of your older ones and so some of your newer updates are interesting. Also you live in an area we would love to move to but we are still cheaper up here in the corner although we're kind of like an hour north of Costco in Spokane. But maybe someday the way things are going with trailer parks and stuff which is where we would maybe end up because we are nearing our 70s we kind of Wonder and we should not go anywhere for now. We are at 2200 ft so we do get a fair amount of snow which is our concern so we'll see what the Lord will take us when he needs us to move. I'm not so sure we have another move left in us but you never know❣ have a awesome day and thank you again for sharing

[@kmiller6002]

I never really gave it much thought.... I just crush all my herbs .... LOL 😂🙏🙏 Kendra PS..... Plans changed... They're staying. God IS GOOD ALL THE TIME 🙏🙏💕💕💕

[@RainCountryHomestead]

That is great news Kendra! Thank you for the update!

[@kmiller6002]

@@RainCountryHomestead THANK YOU for praying 🙏

[@ediemurray1692]

Ty. I just broke a jar full of dried ready to seal of mojeto mont. Ugh

[@RainCountryHomestead]

O man, I have had that happen to me before two with a jar of violas. Took me SO long to fill up that jar too!

[@bluemoon8268]

Hi Heidi ... Would you also crush your bay leaves ...?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, I do

[@anniegetyrgun8741]

Can you tell me what you would consider a low heat for dehydrating herbs? I’m a beginner and want to get the best from my produce

[@RainCountryHomestead]

95° to 110°

[@krickette5569]

Could a person paint the outside of their storage jars with a dark paint to help keep out the light?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, or store in a box or cover with cloth or old socks

[@jacksprat1556]

Can’t I just air dry them? How long to air dry herbs before jarring them up?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I was pretty sure I mentioned air drying in this video but I may be thinking of the many others I mention that in (such as the one I linked to in the description box on the various ways to dry). Air drying is only good for those who do not have a high humidity like we do, yes, you can do that but how long it takes depends on where you hang, the amount of air flow, how dry it is in that area, and the amount of heat

[@jessielong2089]

Hi, where is a good place to order bulk herbs from?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

My favorite company is Frontier Co Op especially when I can get them via subscribe and save on Amazon for the best price: amzn.to/3AFyuQW but they can also be found on Vitacost

[@berlinadavis7928]

Do you put moisture thingies in each jar before you vacuum seal them

[@RainCountryHomestead]

No, I never use those nor do I use oxygen absorbers

[@cheriwarren4524]

I don't dehydrate with a machine it seems to remove alot of flavor I hang and dry my herbs, some 8 crush some I leave

[@RainCountryHomestead]

While having ways to natural air dry is great, some of us rely on electric dehydrators this time of year because we do not have fires going in the woodstove to use that and it is far too humid for things to air dry. Sometimes it can get so humid that it can take a whole extra day on even the electric dehydrators for even more delicate herbs to fully dry. So each person has to do what they can with what they have and according to their weather conditions

[@wendykraf7575]

Why don't you use oxygen absorbers. I'm trying to learn what to do and what not to do.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Because they are a waste of money in the long run when you can vacuum seal instead. Plus, half the time they do not work anyway

[@kelimoreno4218]

What do you use the Camillia flowers for

[@RainCountryHomestead]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHaWmqdqbN9khbM

[@ccccclark2605]

.