Dried Herbs

Question: how to make dried herbs taste like fresh herbs? hello!! I like the taste herbs, but how do you make the dried ones less "gritty" and softer...? Thanks!

Answer: You can't... try as you might they will always taste less defined and "dry"

Question: I want to make rice pilaf but only have the dried herbs not fresh? Is it possible to make rice pilaf with dried herbs?

Answer: Sure, that’s perfectly fine. Use ¼ of the amount called for the fresh herbs. About halfway through, taste and add more if you want.

Question: I need to use dried herbs in place of fresh. What are the quantities? I want to use dried herbs in a recipe in place of fresh, what quantities

Answer: Use one third the amount of dried herbs since their flavor is more intense than fresh. As the herb dries, the flavor intensifies. You can always ADD more but it's hard to SUBTRACT it once it's already in the dish.

Question: How long do dried herbs last? Looking to store dried herbs for sell.

Answer: here is the answer youve been waiting for Shelf Life & Storage of Herbs DRIED HERBS & SPICES Herbs do not "go bad", they lose potency. Heat, light, and moisture damage the dried botanicals. Proper storage for medicinal and culinary herbs requires glass containers, well-sealed, away from moisture, heat and light. Do not store herbs or spices in plastic, vinyl bags, aluminum or tin containers. Avoid keeping herbs near the stove, in the refrigerator or in the bathroom. With proper storage, you can expect the following shelflife: * whole, dried - 2 years * cut, dried - 1 year * powdered - 6 months

Question: Can you use dried herbs when making a fragrance from oils? I have been blending oils for some time now, using various ingredients with alcohol. For some added depth I was hoping to add dried herbs to the bottles I store my concoctions in. Does this work? Thanks for your help! I am using sandalwood oil and a few others... with herbs.... if you wish to know exactly then IM me! The alcohol is so it evaporates more easily on the skin and also helps to mix the oils.

Answer: yes you can, you can make an infusion or a tincture but why are you adding alcohol??? use an oil such as sweet almond, it is much better and then your infusions or tinctures will be smoother and more fragrant and when you use dried herbs, cut quantity by a third for fresh herbs as they are more potent can i also ask what is it exactly that you are trying to make i make a lot of things, i use all natural products i make myself, soap, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, lip balm, etc but i also make rememdies, and flavoured oils if i were using herbs i pick ones that i grow and add them, bruise them and add fresh to oil, it releases their flavour, or effect into the oil

Question: Why do dried herbs have more intense flavors than fresh herbs? Why do dried herbs have more intense flavor than fresh herbs?? When is the best time period to use dried herbs and spices after purchase? Can somone complete this "Herbs are generally regarded as the _____ and _____parts of certain aromatic plant materials. Its questions onn my final and gotta know the answer please help

Answer: Most herbs, when dried, have only lost moisture. This concentrates the compounds that provide the flavor. Some herbs, however, have very volatile essential oils, and they, too, can evaporate. This results in a loss of flavor. I would guess, in your sentance, that's what's needed are the words "leaves" and "stems." The arial parts of plants are normally considered to be herbs. Best time to use them after purchase? As soon as possible. Heat, light, and time degrade herbs and spices. With spices, whenever possible, it's best to buy them in their whole form, then grind or crush as needed.

Question: What dried herbs are safe for cats? I am making my own dry cat shampoo for my kitty and would like to add dried herbs such as lavender or chamomile, pepper, lemon verbena, but i want to make sure it is safe for my cat's skin and safe if she accidently ingests some. I know essential oils are not safe but i would like to add some scents to the dry shampoo. thank you!

Answer: The only safe herb that came to mind is catnip. :) I am sure catnip shampoo would be a hit in your household. Who knows, if it works wonder, you might even market it and make millions! :)

Question: How do I make my own dried herbs ? I have a few herb plants I just planted a few weeks ago and I want to know how to dry my own herbs. Is there a trick to it ? I've never done this before ;)

Answer: Air drying: Simply tie them in bunches (about 5-6 flowers in every bunch) and hang them upside-down in a dark and dry place, about 70 F. Depending on what kind of herb you are drying it can take a few days and up to weeks for them to dry completely. For thicker parts or heavier roots it may take more than a year. Oven drying: Put the herbs on a sheet in a thin layer and place them in a low setting oven. Microwave drying: Put the herbs on a plate and set the microwave on low. According to your microwave and how much herbs you have in it, it can take about 2-5 minutes. Air drying is the best way (my sister an awesome cook says so) and microwave drying should be your last priority. hope taht helps (:

Question: Do dried herbs have any nutritional value? Is it worth buying dried parsley, basil, oregano, etc. for good health or are they just for flavour?

Answer: for the most part, there are just a trace amount of nurtients in them. They are mainly for flavor once dried.

Question: Where can I purchase big bouquets of dried herbs to use as a kitchen accessory? several years ago i bought some from abc distributors and they were attached to a small branch with raffia.Can't find them now.

Answer: michaels or craft 2000

Question: Is there a difference in high-end, name brand dried herbs and spices and generic store brand herbs and spices? For example, cinnamon, pure vanilla extracts, parsely, cumin, etc? If so, what's the difference? Thanks!

Answer: I use both generic and name brands. Generally, name brands are better quality with better flavor. However, let your taste buds be your guide. Example: There'a a chicken rub I make frequently that uses a lot of paprika. The local grocery store didn't have what I wanted so I just grabbed the generic and hoped for the best. Darned if it wasn't the best. It's now my standard for this recipe. Cinnamon is another example. I honestly can't taste the difference between the good stuff and the cheap stuff. But I've heard people tell me that they can. Vanilla extract is interesting. I use the imitation when vanilla is not the dominant flavor in the recipe. (chocolate brownies). I use pure vanilla extract when the vanilla flavor matters such as in butter cookies or a pound cake. Again, use what you think tastes good.

Question: Where can I purchase Essential Oils and Dried Herbs online? I have visited a few websites but I want to get quality products for a relatively good price. Anyone from experience who can suggest a website? It's for herbal heat packs, sachets and potpourri.

Answer: sometimes if you search BULK it helps. http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/category/bulk-herbs-and-spices/?gclid=CK6Pw--KiZYCFQNbxwodaCZHFg I dunno.

Question: Do you have a recipe to make jewelry beads out of dried herbs? I purchased jewelry at a local craft fair that was made with all-natural beads. I would love to know how to make them.

Answer: Here's a link to a site with instructions and a recipe for making beads from herbs. Enjoy. http://www.herbcompanion.com/Projects/Fragrant-Herbal-Beads.aspx

Question: Using dried herbs instead of fresh? I have a recipe that calls for 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves and 1 Tbsp fresh oregano leaves. It's cost me $22 so far to buy the ingredients. Can I just use the dried herbs I already have on hand? What amount should I use?

Answer: Dried herbs work just as well as fresh in most recipes, I've found. Just use half the quantity it gives for fresh herbs.

Question: Quality Dried Herbs? I am looking for some recommendations for online stores that carry quality, yet discounted dried herbs.

Answer: I shopped around to a lot, and I mean a lot of different web-sites and these two are my favorites (so far) I usually buy from mountainroseherbs.com, EXCELLENT quality. Most of their stuff is cerified organic and hasn't been irradiated. However, their prices aren't necessarily the best. The best prices that I've found is on herbalcom.com/. I have only ordered from them twice, and their quality seems to be good. Also, their shipping is much cheaper than mountain rose. (For some reason whenever I try to type the website in AOL can't find it-so I have to do a search and get to it from there).

Question: Why does the flavor of some herbs weaken when dried, while the flavor of others intensifies? For example, cilantro has a stronger flavor when it is fresh, but the flavor of cilantro weakens significantly when the herb is dried. However, the flavor of dill weed becomes noticeably stronger when it is dried. Why is this? Is there a way to preserve a more intense flavor of cilantro leaves when they are dried?

Answer: It has to do with the amount of essential oils present in the herb naturally and it also has to do with harvesting methods. If you want the highest degree of oils in the leaves, you harvest in the afternoon when the plant is shielding itself from the heat and the sun. If you want the oils in the root, you harvest early in the morning. Some plants do not contain high levels of oils, usually more shade loving plants, and are therefore best used fresh.