How to Dry Bay Leaves Properly at Home + at home, secrets, methods

Methods for drying and preparing bay leaves

Bay leaves are collected at the beginning of autumn, mainly in the morning, at which time the most essential oils accumulate in them. Tear them off carefully so as not to damage them. It is believed that the largest leaves emit the most intense aroma. Trees that have reached three years of age are suitable for harvesting.

The specific aroma of laurel is given by essential (laurel) oil, on the basis of which various creams and antibacterial soaps are prepared. The bay leaf contains large quantities of tannins (astringents), valeric, caproic and acetic acids and phytoncides, substances that have an antiseptic effect. Bay leaf, used in food products, promotes digestion and improves appetite. Before drying bay leaves yourself, it is worth learning about some of the features of this process.

How to choose

When purchasing bay leaves from a private seller, take into account the following characteristics:

A high-quality product will emit a bright aroma. If you crush a piece of laurel between your fingers, the skin will receive a characteristic smell.
A good dry leaf will have a grayish olive color. Brown or yellowish leaves will not give the expected aroma.
The bay leaf should have a smooth upper surface and a slightly rough lower surface. It shouldn't be damaged.
A fresh (recently harvested) bay leaf will be springy. If it crumbles, then it is better to refuse the purchase.

If you buy packaged spices, then the requirements indicating a quality product will be different:

The shelf life of packaged laurel is no more than 1 year, so look at the date of packaging of the spice.
Foil packaging retains its properties better. It is advisable to avoid buying bay leaves in a paper bag. In this case, there is a high probability that the seasoning has taken away foreign aromas and moisture.
The packaging must be sealed, i.e., not have any damage.
Carefully feel the package. This will help ensure that the leaves are intact.
Finished ground spice can be made from defective raw materials. Moreover, in this state it very quickly loses its aroma.

Collection of bay leaves

Alternative drying methods

If it is not possible to dry the bay leaf outside, you can do this in an apartment. For this you will need an oven. The optimal temperature for drying bay leaves is 35-45 degrees. The leaves are laid out on a dry baking sheet, it is important that they do not touch each other and are placed in the oven for 6-8 hours. The oven door can be left open to allow air flow. After 3-4 hours, the leaves are turned over to the other side.

Drying bay leaves in the oven requires some vigilance. To prevent the leaves from burning, you should carefully regulate the temperature.

A microwave oven is also suitable for the same purposes. The leaves are washed and dried with a napkin.

Please note that this website is for informational purposes only.

When using bay leaves, you should consult a specialist (doctor).

There are contraindications for the use of bay leaves: pregnancy and lactation in women, acute forms of kidney, liver and heart disease, gastric and duodenal ulcers, an allergic reaction to bay leaves, severe diabetes mellitus, etc.

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If it is not possible to dry the bay leaf outside, you can do this in an apartment. For this you will need an oven. The optimal temperature for drying bay leaves is 35-45 degrees. The leaves are laid out on a dry baking sheet, it is important that they do not touch each other and are placed in the oven for 6-8 hours. The oven door can be left open to allow air flow. After 3-4 hours, the leaves are turned over to the other side.

How to store on a branch

Many people are interested in how to properly store a bay leaf on a branch. It must first be dried thoroughly.

Inspect the branches and remove all damaged leaves. Rinse and lay out to dry on a cloth under a canopy with a good draft. Leave them for 7–10 days. As soon as the leaves turn a light green shade, you can form brooms from the branches.
Place the longest branches inside the bunch. Place the shorter ones on the sides. After this, tighten the base with a bandage or twine, but not too tightly. After two months, when the branches have dried well, the fastening can be tightened.

Store dried bay leaves in dark, tightly tied bags in the refrigerator or cool pantry. In winter, they can be taken out onto the balcony or loggia.

If the laurel leaves become dark, then this is a sign of damage. They should be thrown away.

Methods for drying spices

There are several ways to dry bay leaves at home. To do this you can use:

a regular baking sheet and oven;
microwave;
or simply hang the spice in the room.

No less popular are dehydrators - industrial drying trays for drying vegetables. They are also used for bay leaves. How to use them:

The dehydrator should be heated to 45°. The laurel leaves should be washed and dried on a paper towel.
Pour the raw materials into the dryer container in one layer and leave for 3-4 hours.

But this method has several disadvantages. Not every housewife has such a device, and its improper use can reduce or completely deprive the spice of its beneficial properties.

After drying, many aromatic herbs lose almost all their essential oils. But this does not apply to laurel. Even when dried, it retains its original taste, aroma and beneficial properties.

Fresh leaf storage

Bay leaves plucked from a branch (purchased) should be carefully examined. They should not have any affected areas, and should also be dusty and dirty.

If the leaves become dusty, wash them under running cold water and then dry them to remove moisture in the shade. If the weather is clear, this can be done outside, under a canopy, after tying the leaves in small bunches. Places with good air movement are also suitable. The leaves should be placed in one layer on a spread cloth, where in 2 - 3 days they will dry to the required condition.

You can also dry freshly picked leaves in an oven at a temperature of +50°C -+60°C.

You can store fresh bay leaves for the longest time at sub-zero temperatures. Before this, it is dried for 2 - 3 days at room temperature. Then they are packaged in bags, closed tightly, and sent to the freezer.

In conditions of low negative temperatures, this spice will retain its original properties for as long as possible.

Natural drying

Natural drying takes longer than using electric dryers or microwaves. However, it allows you to preserve almost all vitamins and nutrients.

For this method, it is best not to pick leaves, but to separate tree branches that can be hung.

How to properly dry bay leaves using this method? Washed and dried branches with leaves should be hung in the room and left for 2-3 weeks.

For this purpose, it is best to choose a place indoors that is not exposed to direct sunlight. They lead to overdrying of the raw materials, the appearance of yellow spots and loss of spicy taste.

Also, the selected room should be free of any strong odors. Bay leaves absorb other aromas. This worsens their taste.

A sign that the spice is ready is the crunch and fragility of the leaf when you try to roll it, and a light shade. Softness and rich green color indicate that drying has not yet ended. After this, the spice can be sent to a place for further storage.

In a similar way, you can dry the spice using a baking sheet. To do this, you need to line a wide baking sheet with several paper napkins or towels.

Place bay leaves evenly on a baking sheet at a certain distance, being careful not to lay them out in two layers.

The baking tray with the spice should be left in a warm, dry and well-ventilated area, away from the sun. The drying process lasts at least 2 weeks; after 7 days, the leaves must be turned the other way and left for another 7 days.

In the oven or microwave

To dry bay leaves at home, you can use a conventional oven or microwave. When drying in the oven you must:

Rinse the spice thoroughly and dry along with the baking sheet.
Place evenly so that they do not touch each other.
Place in the oven, preheated to 45° for 3.5-4 hours.
Then turn the leaves over to the other side and dry the same amount.

For good ventilation, the oven door must be opened slightly. This method requires special vigilance. At high temperatures, raw materials quickly burn.

Application of microwave oven:

The baking tray with the spice should be left in a warm, dry and well-ventilated area, away from the sun. The drying process lasts at least 2 weeks; after 7 days, the leaves must be turned the other way and left for another 7 days.

Shelf life

Does bay leaf have a shelf life? On manufacturers' packaging you can find different options - from 9 months to 4 years. GOST establishes the following terms: collection and packaging can be separated by 9 months, and laurel can be stored in packaging for another year.

Therefore, when purchasing, you need to pay attention to both dates. The closer they are to each other, the better.

Of course, no one will get poisoned if they use an expired bay leaf as a seasoning, but such a spice will add almost no taste and aroma to the dish, only strong bitterness.

You can distinguish such leaves by color - instead of their normal matte light olive with a silver tint, they become dull brown, brown with a hint of copper, the color of rust. Another sign is that they break and crumble very easily.

How to dry bay leaves

This article was produced by our experienced team of editors and researchers, who reviewed it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Number of sources used in this article: 21. You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

wikiHow's content management team carefully monitors the work of its editors to ensure that every article meets our high quality standards.

Drying harvested herbs is a great way to enhance their flavor—dried bay leaves are 3-4 times more flavorful than fresh ones! Add bay leaves to meats, sauces, soups and other dishes. The best way to preserve the aroma of bay leaves and the essential oils they contain is to air dry them, although you can also use a dehydrator, oven or microwave.

This article was produced by our experienced team of editors and researchers, who reviewed it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Step-by-step photo recipe on how to dry bay leaves at home for the winter

Today we will clearly demonstrate to you how to dry bay leaves at home using the step-by-step photo recipe below. In general, all the spices that you love to use in preparing certain dishes can be prepared yourself. The drying process is a rather delicate matter: all temperature conditions must be observed, the greenery must not be exposed to direct sunlight, and the leaves must be protected from moisture and dust. However, if you manage to provide the laurel with such conditions, you will get the most aromatic and natural seasoning. The bay leaf owes its stunning, unusual and literally healing smell to the essential oils it contains. Laurel also contains a whole vitamin complex and useful microelements such as iron, manganese and potassium. This green has a calming effect and helps fight insomnia. Moreover, laurel is very useful even in everyday life: fresh leaves really repel moths and even cockroaches. Of course, all this is lyricism and we all gathered here only to subsequently enjoy the aromatic borscht and other dishes that we will prepare with our own dried bay leaf. This plant goes well not only with meat dishes, but also harmonizes well with other spices, which opens up more culinary possibilities. Let's start drying bay leaves for the winter at home.

How to dry bay leaves? - recipe

To dry laurel leaves, you first need to collect them. It’s good if you grow this plant yourself, otherwise you still have to find it. When choosing leaves, pay attention to the uniformity of their color and the integrity of the surface. Once at home, the collected leaves will need to be carefully rinsed from dirt and dust, and then placed on a kitchen towel and allowed to dry completely.

Next, everything is simple, for drying we will use the natural method: even if it takes longer, it is still better to dry the greens this way. There is also a way to dry bay leaves in an electric dryer. However, it is not a fact that everyone has such a device; moreover, there is a risk of depriving the laurel of not only its original smell, but also all its beneficial properties. We hang the twigs with bay leaves dried on a towel in any way convenient for you on the side of the house that usually does not receive direct sunlight. The bay leaf will dry for several weeks; its readiness can be determined as follows: if, when rolled, the leaf crunches and breaks easily, then you can remove the branches from the dryer and close it. Externally, the leaves will have a lighter shade, as in the photo.

Such preparations are stored in tin cans with tight lids so that the valuable smell does not disappear; you can also use cotton bags for this purpose. Now you know how to properly dry bay leaves at home, you can add it to borscht and enjoy the taste.

Today we will clearly demonstrate to you how to dry bay leaves at home using the step-by-step photo recipe below. In general, all the spices that you love to use in preparing certain dishes can be prepared yourself. The drying process is a rather delicate matter: all temperature conditions must be observed, the greenery must not be exposed to direct sunlight, and the leaves must be protected from moisture and dust. However, if you manage to provide the laurel with such conditions, you will get the most aromatic and natural seasoning. The bay leaf owes its stunning, unusual and literally healing smell to the essential oils it contains. Laurel also contains a whole vitamin complex and useful microelements such as iron, manganese and potassium. This green has a calming effect and helps fight insomnia. Moreover, laurel is very useful even in everyday life: fresh leaves really repel moths and even cockroaches. Of course, all this is lyricism and we all gathered here only to subsequently enjoy the aromatic borscht and other dishes that we will prepare with our own dried bay leaf. This plant goes well not only with meat dishes, but also harmonizes well with other spices, which opens up more culinary possibilities. Let's start drying bay leaves for the winter at home.

What happens if you light a bay leaf at home? This is what happens if you light a bay leaf at home

An ancient custom.

Bay leaf is not only a tasty seasoning. This plant also helps with many diseases.

A good cook knows the secret ingredient to a delicious soup or stir-fry: bay leaf.

The aromatic, olive-green leaves add subtle intensity and depth to the dish.

But bay leaf is not only a tasty seasoning. This plant is also very useful.

According to Organic Facts, bay leaves help detoxify the body and slow down aging. This plant also fights bacterial infections and helps with many diseases: from respiratory problems to heart disease.

Here are some cases in which bay leaf can help you.

Anxiety and fatigue.

center> The chemicals in bay leaves produce a calming, psychedelic effect.
To do this, just set fire to several dried bay leaves. When you inhale the vapors, a relaxed but concentrated state occurs. The advantage of burning bay leaf is that it does not cause drowsiness, but, on the contrary, wakes you up and drives away fatigue.

Respiratory system.

Bay leaf stimulates the airways and can help clear phlegm and mucus from the lungs.

To heal your respiratory system, it is best to inhale the scent of fresh or dried bay leaves or a couple of bay oils.

You can also massage your chest with bay oil. This method helps treat allergies and asthma.

Dandruff.

To get rid of dandruff, mix bay oil with warmed jojoba oil. Rub warm oil into your scalp, wrap your head in a towel and leave for 15-60 minutes. You can also get rid of dandruff by adding a few drops of bay oil to your regular shampoo.

Diabetes.

A study jointly published by the University of Agriculture in Peshawar, Pakistan and the US Department of Agriculture Research Center proves that bay leaf may be an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes. A study has shown that consuming just 3 grams of bay leaf per day will lower your glucose levels.

Digestion.

Mediterranean and East Asian cultures that use alternative medicine believe in the warming and healing powers of the bay leaf.

This plant enhances the “digestive fire,” writes the Ayurvedic Oils portal. Bay leaf in food promotes the secretion of digestive juices, enzymes and bile. For these purposes, you can also rub bay leaf oil into your stomach after meals.

Heart health.

center> An organic compound found in bay leaves called caffeic acid is known to strengthen capillary walls. This substance also helps eliminate bad cholesterol from the cardiovascular system. Use bay leaves to cook with heart-healthy foods.

Inflammation of the joints.

A 2003 study published in the journal Herbal Medicine Research found that the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of bay leaf oil produced effects comparable to those of the drug morphine.

To relieve pain, rub bay oil on sore joints and use bay leaves daily in cooking.

Urinary infections.

Drinking powdered bay leaves mixed with milk is an ancient way to treat urinary tract infections.

Bay leaf is an almighty miracle plant. It is inexpensive and can be purchased at any store. Add a few leaves to soup, vegetables and meat dishes.

Try using bay leaf oil to treat dandruff, respiratory problems and inflammation.

Please share this useful information with everyone you know!

Drying bay leaves: collecting and sorting raw materials, preparation

In most regions of our country, bay trees do not grow in the wild. However, a small specimen can easily be cultivated in a greenhouse or even on the windowsill of a city apartment. The plant is quite unpretentious, adapts well to artificial cultivation, produces abundant foliage, which is dried. It is permissible to pluck foliage for drying from trees that have reached two years of age or more.

The larger the dried bay leaf, the more essential oils it contains. This means that it will emit a stronger aroma and give a “strong” taste.

Selection of raw materials

It is better to collect the leaf in warm, sunny and dry weather, in the first half of the day, when the morning dew has completely dried. Only whole, undamaged leaves, the same juicy green color, and smooth to the touch, are suitable for drying. Stains, damage, inclusions are signs of disease or pest activity. Affected specimens are not dried.

Most often, bay leaves are dried along with the branches, so they can be carefully cut with garden pruners, sharp scissors or a knife. But for some methods this option will not work. Then you can cut or pick the leaves one by one.

Preparation

It is not recommended to wash any types of leaves before drying, but sometimes there is no other choice. When the harvest is small, it is permissible to wipe each leaf with a damp cloth on both sides. If the raw materials are excessively dirty, it is better to rinse them under a slight pressure of cool water. After this, place the branches or leaves on towels to drain off excess water, and if necessary, blot additionally with a napkin.

There is no need to crumble the bay leaf; this will cause it to lose some of the essential oils with the leaked juice. Usually small branches with 5-12 leaves are dried. If you decide to dry them without branches, then choose the largest ones.

How to properly burn a bay leaf for a wish. Spell for a wish on a bay leaf

Conspiracies to make wishes come true have enormous power only if you believe that everything will work out exactly as planned. With the help of a simple bay leaf, everyone can fulfill their dreams, backing them up with effective words and energy.

Conspiracies and rituals help in overcoming difficulties and create the right mood. It is necessary for those who cannot decide to take the first and most important step towards their goal. The most harmless and at the same time effective are bay leaf spells, which have exceptional power and symbolize victory. Experts from the site dailyhoro.ru recommend trying to make your dream come true with the help of this plant.

1. You will need a pen, a piece of paper and three bay leaves. In the evening, during the waxing moon, write your wish and read it out loud. Fold the paper in half, placing the first bay leaf in it. Then voice your desire again, fold the paper again, inserting a second laurel leaf. Then say your wish for the third time, folding the paper and placing the third laurel leaf in it. Place the resulting envelope in a secluded place and say every evening until the Full Moon:

“The laurel fulfills my wishes and does not leave me without happiness.”

2. Rub a few laurel leaves with your fingers, saying the wish out loud or to yourself. Place the resulting powder in a bag and carry it with you. This way you can not only get what you wished for, but also attract good luck into your life. Such a bag can become a talisman against troubles while the wish is not fulfilled. To do this, place a pin with a brightly colored bead inside. Hold the bag in your hands and say:

“Wishes come true, luck comes into life. As long as the laurel protects me, failures will not come to me.”

3. Place three bay leaves under the threshold and say:

“Your wish comes true, luck is knocking on your door.”

Say your wish and open the door so that luck does not pass you by.

4. Say your wish onto a bay leaf, hide it in your pocket and say:

“Every wish is destined to come true, it is important for every person to smile. Laurel will attract what I want, and I will achieve another success.”

Carry it with you for three days so that everything you wish for will come true in the near future.

5. Take an undamaged bay leaf and, holding it in your hands, say your wish. Wrap the leaf in cloth and place it under the bed. Before going to bed, take it out and say the wish again, and then say the words of the conspiracy:

Instructions and recommendations: how to properly dry bay leaves

There are several simple methods that allow you to dry bay leaves indoors or outdoors. Everyone can choose the most affordable one for themselves.

On open air

Drying time : 10-14 days.

This drying method is considered natural. With it, laurel retains most of its properties, which is why many people prefer air drying.

On a thread

This way you can only dry small branches, because stringing each leaf will be inconvenient. And after piercing they will lose some of the juice with essential oils.

Choose a time when the weather is dry, warm, and low in humidity.
Trim laurel branches with leaves to a length of 15-25 centimeters.
Tie them into bundles of 3-6 pieces.
Stretch a nylon or gray thread in a convenient place with good ventilation and hang the prepared bundles on it so that they do not touch.
Once a day, change the dryer in places so that the wind blows it well.

How, where and what to store at home

If we talk about how to keep bay leaves fresh, then you need to follow certain rules.

The spice must be kept out of reach of sunlight and in a cool place. A shelf in a closed kitchen cabinet works well.
The air in the laurel storage area should not stagnate.
There should be no other seasonings with pronounced aromas near the container in which the bay leaf lies.
Recommended air temperature is 10-15 °C, air humidity is not higher than 75%.

The container in which the bay leaf will be stored must have a tight-fitting lid. Suitable:

container made of glass, ceramics, tin;
any vacuum packaging with the possibility of repeated opening and closing.

Bags made of linen or burlap are not suitable for storing bay leaves. The fabric cannot protect the spice from air. If you use fabric bags, keep them in a tightly closed cabinet, separate from all foods.

Do you always follow the correct storage of food/medicines and their product proximity?

Yes, of course, this is very important so as not to spend money on your health later.

43.91%

Not really, because there won’t be anything like going to the toilet.

24.72%

I look at it by appearance and if I use anything after heat treatment.

31.37%

Votes: 271

In order for the seasoning to be stored for a long time, you only need to remove the leaves from the container with dry hands.

Storing dried bay leaves

The storage conditions for branches with leaves or foliage separately are almost the same. The room must be as dry as possible, no more than 70-75% humidity. It is better to maintain the temperature between 0°C and 18°C. The lower it is, the slower the oxidative processes occur, that is, the shelf life increases. On average, from the beginning of harvest it is 15-18 months, and from the moment of drying 10-12 months.

When water gets on a dry bay leaf, it provokes the rapid growth of mold, which is hazardous to health. If you notice even the slightest traces of it, then it is better to throw away the entire product; washing and drying it will be ineffective. In addition, in the process it will lose most of its aromatic and beneficial qualities.

Drying should not be exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise it will quickly lose its properties. The bunches can be left hanging upside down, wrapped in one layer of gauze to protect against insects. The leaves are placed in separate containers.

Paper bags.
Canvas or linen bags.
Glass jars with metal or nylon lids.
Ceramic vessels.
Wooden boxes.
Carton boxes.

It is acceptable to store bay leaves in thick plastic bags with zip fasteners. The less hermetically sealed the chosen vessel, the sooner the raw materials “exhale.” Some people store laurel in tins, but this is not the best solution. The oxidized metal can give off its smell and taste to the spices, and then your dishes will be spoiled.

Storage periods and conditions according to GOST

Storage conditions and shelf life of bay leaves are regulated by the current GOST 17594-81. It is necessary to store laurel leaves in accordance with accepted sanitary rules.

The shelf life of the product is determined by the packaging method:

• when laurel is kept in fabric bags and boxes – 9 months from the date of packaging; • in packaged form – 12 months.

After the expiration of the recommended shelf life, the spice can be used for its intended purpose if its taste and quality characteristics comply with the standards of the current GOST.