Dried Oregano
Oregano is one of the herbs that gains significantly in aroma intensity through drying. The essential oils concentrate as water is removed, making dried oregano more aromatic than the fresh version. Indispensable in Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine.
Instructions
Preparation
15 min.Wash oregano sprigs under cold running water and gently shake dry. Then spread on clean kitchen towels and pat dry thoroughly. Remove yellowed or damaged sprigs.
Drying
4–6 hrs.Lay oregano sprigs in a single layer on dehydrator trays. Set the dehydrator to 40–45 °C. Check the trays after 3 hours and turn if needed. Oregano dries faster than harder herbs like rosemary.
Stripping and Crushing
10 min.Remove fully dried sprigs from the dehydrator and let cool. Strip the leaves from the woody stems by running fingers from the top end downward. Then lightly crush between the palms of your hands.
Storing
5 min.Fill dried oregano into clean, airtight dark glass spice jars. Label with date and contents. Stored cool and away from light, oregano stays aromatic for up to 2 years.
Pro Tip
Oregano sprigs can also be bundled and hung upside down in a warm, airy place for 1–2 weeks. The dehydrator method is faster and more hygienic, especially in humid environments.
Save this recipe to your smoking journal?
With Curination you can scale recipes, track projects, document by voice and browse over 1,269 recipes.