When the mint is dried, it should be harvested first, and then put it in a cool and ventilated environment to dry, or you can directly put it in the sun to dry, but before drying, you should remove impurities and then wash it.
Specific steps for drying mint leaves
- Harvest mint leaves
Fresh mint leaves are harvested during the growing season of mint plants, usually in late summer or early autumn. Choose those leaves that are free from pests and diseases, and it is best to harvest them in the morning after the dew on the leaves of the plant has disappeared.
- Wash the leaves
Gently rinse the mint leaves with cool water to remove any soil, insects, or other impurities.
- Drip dry
Spread the leaves on a paper towel or clean cloth and allow them to drip dry naturally at room temperature. This can help remove excess moisture.
- Dried
Dry the mint leaves in a sun-drenched, well-ventilated area. You can use a drying net, gauze, or drying rack to avoid the leaves touching the ground directly. Make sure the leaves are not affected by moisture or rain. The time it takes to dry will vary depending on the weather, humidity, and thickness of the leaves, and usually takes a few days to a week.
- Turn the leaves
During the sun-drying process, turn or agitate the leaves regularly to ensure that they dry evenly and avoid mold growth.
- storage
Once the mint leaves are completely dry, you can store them in a dry container, preferably in a glass bottle or sealed bag. Make sure the container is well sealed to prevent air humidity from affecting the quality of the herbs. Indicate the date of drying to keep track of freshness.
Sun-dried mint leaves, which can be used in cooking, to make tea, cook delicacies, or as an herb to make mint tea, etc. But be sure to keep it in a cool, dry place, otherwise it will be difficult to maintain its fragrance and medicinal properties.