You can trim most of the new growth off of a plant as long as you keep the woody growth intact. [1] X Research source It’s best to pick sprigs that have not bloomed. Instead, choose young, fresh sprigs throughout the spring and summer.
Making sure that the thyme no longer was water on it will minimize the chance of it getting moldy as it dries.
If you have more thyme than can fit into a bundle with a diameter of 1 inch (2. 5 cm), then make several bundles.
You can tie the ends together with a bow or a knot but just make sure that it is tight and secure.
It’s best to have the thyme in a spot with low humidity, so that mold doesn’t develop on it. Check the thyme for mold after the first few days of drying. Throw it out if you see any on the sprigs. However, after the first few days the risk of mold developing is minimal because the plant will have lost most of its moisture. You can hang your thyme to dry in any dark corner of your kitchen, living room, or dining room, as long as it has good air flow and a warm temperature.
The amount of time it will take for your thyme to dry will vary depending on the variety of your thyme and the conditions you are growing it in. However, it usually takes 1 or 2 weeks for thyme to dry out completely. An easy way to do this is to hold the stem in one hand and run your fingers down the stem with your other hand.
Put the container in a dark, dry location, such as a cupboard or pantry. The thyme will basically never go “bad” but it will lose its flavor potency over time. After a year or so you should assess the flavor your dried thyme has and decide if you need to dry some more. [3] X Research source
Trimming most of the new growth off the plant is fine, as long as you keep the woody parts intact. In fact, this will encourage your plant to grow. [5] X Research source If you have fresh thyme that you have bought from a grocery store, you can still dry it. It just won’t be as fresh, so it might have less flavor once dried.
Once you have rinsed the thyme, give it a light shake to remove most of the water off the surface of it. However, the thyme does not need to be completely dry before moving on with the process.
If the thyme is in direct contact with metal, it can turn black or lose its bright color.
It’s best to dry thyme at a moderate heat for a long time. This allows the leaves to dry out without getting cooked or wilting first. Take a look at the leaves every few hours as they dry. Make sure they are not burning and that they seem to be wilting and then drying.
Once off the stems, store the leaves in an air-tight container in a dark, cool location. This will keep your dried thyme fresh for 1 to 2 years. [6] X Research source
You can trim as much new growth off the plant as you like. As long as you keep the woody core of the plant intact, your thyme plant will regrow after trimming. [7] X Research source Typically, you will have the most to harvest in the spring or summer, although thyme plants can be lightly trimmed at any time of year. [8] X Research source
Making sure the thyme is dry before you put it in the dehydrator will make it easier for the dehydrator to do its work.
Make sure that the bottom of the trays is fine enough to hold the leaves if they fall off the stems. If they are not, you can put fine screen at the bottom of them to hold the leaves.
Your dried thyme should last for more than a year if it is stored properly.
