Create Useful and Aesthetic DIY Herb Drying Rack for Your Kitchen

If you come across old house photos on the internet or story books. You probably will find an old style kitchen where a bunch of herbs hang on the ceiling or on the wall of the kitchen. It depicts people drying herbs for a long time. Drying herbs in the kitchen is a habit that is conducted across generations. The goals of drying herbs are so varied. The main purpose of drying herbs is to reduce the moisture to gain the best flavor. Another reason is to save herbs and prevent it from mold, then use it again anytime needed for recipe or anything. Drying herbs has an economic purpose. By drying herbs people save money and they don't need to buy the fresh one again when they need the same herb since drying herbs is not bad from the fresh one. Even people prefer to dry one then the fresh one for certain reasons. 

Variety reason and history why people drying herbs

The history of drying herbs dates back to ancient times. Ancient Egyptians were known to dry herbs for medicinal and culinary purposes. In the Middle Ages, herbs were dried and used to make teas, tinctures, and salves. In the 19th century, drying herbs became more popular as a way to preserve them for longer periods of time. Today, herbs are still dried for culinary and medicinal purposes, as well as for decorative purposes.

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People dry herbs for a variety of reasons. Drying herbs helps to preserve them for longer periods of time, allowing them to be used in cooking and other applications. Dried herbs also have a more intense flavor than fresh herbs, making them a great addition to many dishes. Additionally, drying herbs can be a great way to save money, as dried herbs are often cheaper than fresh herbs.

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Now you know why people dry herbs at home. The next step you are probably curious to learn is about how to dry herbs or how to make DIY herbs drying rack at home. Don't worry because we are going to talk about it as well in the next section. 

DIY herbs drying rack with simple materials

For drying herbs you need a rack to hang them. You can create a DIY drying herbs rack instead of buying the one that is ready to use. A DIY herb drying rack is a great way to preserve your herbs, keep them fresh for longer and make your kitchen more aesthetic as well. You can make your own herb drying rack using a few simple materials. Below items are materials you need to prepare to create a simple herb drying rack.

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Materials:
-Wooden dowels
-Wooden boards
-Screws
-Drill
-Sandpaper
-Cotton string
-Paint or stain (optional) 

You can find material for an herb drying rack at most home improvement stores, craft stores, and online retailers. You can also find materials at local farmers markets, garden centers, and nurseries. Additionally, you can find materials for an herb drying rack at thrift stores, flea markets, and antique stores. Creating your own herb drying rack can be relatively inexpensive, depending on the materials you use.

Step by step creating a simple DIY Herb Drying Rack 

Instructions:

1. Measure and cut the wooden boards to the desired size.
2. Drill holes in the boards for the dowels. Make sure the holes are slightly larger than the dowels so they can fit snugly.
3. Sand the boards and dowels to smooth out any rough edges.
4. Paint or stain the boards and dowels if desired.
5. Insert the dowels into the holes and secure them with screws.
6. Hang the herb drying rack in a dry, well-ventilated area.
7. Hang your herbs with cotton string  on the dowels and allow them to dry.

Finally, your DIY herb drying rack is now ready to use! Enjoy the freshness of your herbs for longer.

Tips to dry herbs 

Once you finish creating your own DIY herbs drying rack, it is important to figure out how to dry herbs. Some tips below you might consider to dry herbs. 

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1. Place the herbs on the drying rack in a single layer, making sure that the leaves are not touching each other. This is important because if the leaves of the herb are touching each other during drying, they can stick together and become moldy. This can cause the herb to lose its flavor and aroma. Additionally, it can also cause the herb to become contaminated with bacteria and other microorganisms. To prevent this, make sure to spread the leaves out on a flat surface and keep them separated from each other. If possible, it is better to use a fan to help drying process faster.
2. Place the drying rack in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area. It is important to dry herbs in a well-ventilated area because it helps to reduce the moisture content of the herbs, which can prevent mold and bacteria from growing. Additionally, a well-ventilated area helps to reduce the risk of the herbs becoming musty or stale. Proper air circulation also helps to ensure that the herbs dry evenly and quickly.
   
3. Check the herbs every few days and turn them over to ensure even drying.
4. Once the herbs are dry, remove them from the rack and store them in an airtight container.
   Airtight containers help to keep out moisture, light, and air, which can all cause herbs to spoil quickly. They also help to keep out any unwanted odors or flavors that could affect the taste of the herbs.
   
5. To preserve the flavor and aroma of the herbs, store them in a cool, dark place. Light and heat can cause herbs to lose their flavor and medicinal properties. Keeping herbs in a cool, dark place will help them last longer and maintain their flavor and medicinal properties.

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