This is the only way to store dried basil. Today we will wake you up with a little trick that will help you get the most out of this beautiful aromatic plant.
Basil as if it were fresh even if it was dried ? Yes, it is possible, but only if you put into practice this technique that only farmers know . Ready to be surprised?
Properties of basil
An aromatic plant with a very pleasant smell, basil is perfect for adding a strong and intense note to our dishes. But, of course, its virtues do not end in the kitchen. For lovers of complementary and Ayurvedic medicine , basil leaves are a truly precious treasure and here we will discover why.
Did you know that this plant can help you solve some common ailments ? If you suffer from dyspepsia or meteorism, chewing 3 basil leaves can be the solution to your problem. You can also use them to prepare a decoction or herbal tea: the digestive and purifying effect is guaranteed…
It is not difficult to grow this beautiful and aromatic plant. With proper care, you can have fresh, healthy basil for a year. Furthermore, not everyone knows that all parts of this plant can be used , except the root.
In general, we only use the leaves that we try to preserve for as long as possible with various techniques. And if we told you that even dried basil can be preserved for years, here is the technique that only expert farmers know.
The only way to store dried basil
Dried basil is also a precious resource, a treasure inside and outside the kitchen that you should stock up on. If you don’t know how to store it, don’t worry: here’s a trick that will keep it for years!
First of all, it is good to remember that what can be dried is the so-called “basil ear” . There are two techniques that can be used. The first is very simple and consists in extracting the basil simply with the hand method : with the thumb and forefinger you gently crush the sprig and in a few seconds you will have the leaves in your hand.
All you have to do is put it in a bag and let it dry . The second system consists, however, in cutting the ear and cleaning it afterwards, always proceeding to dry it.
Be careful to learn to recognize the twigs that can be cut . There is a trick: the branch to be cut will be completely green and will have flowers in the central part which indicate that pollination has already taken place and that it has withered .
But how do you dry basil? Get a net, put the basil in it, close it and hang it on a clothesline – which should be placed in a cool place away from sunlight – closing it on the side with clothespins.
How do you know that the drying process was successful ? It’s simple: when the basil turns green and dry. At this point all you have to do is put it in a glass jar and close the jar with its airtight lid: you will have the basil to use whenever you want . With this preservation technique it will last for years!