Drying chives is a good way to retain their freshness when used in cooking all year round. Often used as an herb in cooking, chives impart a fresh, onion-like flavor to foods, including potatoes, eggs, and fish. If you're looking for a quick way to dry chives, try putting them in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. However, if you have plenty of time, you can dry them in traditional ways, such as drying them in the oven, using a dehydrator, or air-drying them.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Microwave Drying
Step 1. Wash the chives with cold water, then dry
Fill a sink or bowl with cold water and add the chives. Let it soak for 1-2 minutes, then rinse the chives under running water. Continue to soak and rinse the chives if necessary before drying them with paper towels.
Repeat this step as many times as needed or until the chives are completely clean and dry
Step 2. Place 4-5 stalks of chives between two paper towels in the microwave
Line the plate with paper towels before putting it in the microwave. Place the chives on a plate and cover with paper towels so that the chives are coated with paper towels in the microwave. Before turning on the microwave, make sure all the chives are covered with paper towels so that they dry evenly.
Step 3. Turn on the microwave on a high heat setting for at least two minutes
Let the chives dry in the microwave for a few minutes. When one drying cycle is complete, check to see if the chives are crunchy and crumbly to the touch. If not, continue heating it for another 30 seconds. If the chives are still not dry, continue to heat briefly until the chives are completely dry.
If your microwave has a lower voltage, initially you can heat the chives for 3 minutes instead of 2 minutes
Step 4. Put the dried chives in an airtight container
Store dry chives by placing them in an airtight container, such as a glass jar. When stored, dried chives can last for several years. However, before using them in cooking, be sure to check if the chives don't turn completely brown.
Keep dry chives out of the sun as this can take away the flavor
Method 2 of 4: Drying Chives in the Oven
Step 1. Wash the chives with cold water, then dry
Wash under running water and remove wilted or dead stalks. Focus on drying the chives with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel until they are completely dry. If needed, roll the chives on a paper towel to remove any excess water.
Step 2. Preheat the oven to the lowest temperature
Turn the oven on as low as 60°C, if possible. Ideally, you want to dry the chives, not roast them. If your oven can't be set to the lowest temperature, make sure it's no higher than 93°C.
Step 3. Cut the chives into about 1/2 cm thick and place on the baking sheet
Cut the chives into small pieces before spreading them across several pans. When you're done placing the chives in the pan, proceed to putting them in the preheated oven.
To prevent the herbs from sticking together, first line a baking sheet with parchment paper
Do you know?
If you don't want to use the oven, you can air dry the chives in the pan to dry naturally. Cover the chives with a cheese strainer and place the baking sheet in a well-ventilated area to allow the chives to dry completely. To keep the drying process consistent, flip the chives if needed. In about a week, your chives will be dry!
Step 4. Turn off the oven and let the chives sit in the oven for two days
Make sure the oven is not on and that no heat is getting into the oven when you put the chives in the pan. Let the chives sit in the oven for at least two days. About 2-3 times a day, turn the oven back on on low for 1-3 hours to keep a steady stream of hot, dry air flowing between the chives.
Check the chives periodically. Depending on the type of oven and how much chives were dried, you may need up to three days for the chives to dry completely
Step 5. Put the dried chives in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
Use parchment paper to help you pour the dried chives into the jars. When all the dried chives are in the jar, make sure to store the chives in a cool place away from sunlight.
When pouring the dried chives in a jar or other airtight container, check that they are completely dry and crunchy. Oven-dried chives or special tools such as a dehydrator can last for several years. A sign that the chives are no longer fresh is the loss of their onion-like aroma
Method 3 of 4: Drying Chives with a Dehydrator
Step 1. Wash the chives with cold water, then dry
Wash the chives under running water and dry with a clean towel or kitchen rag. Once flattened on paper towels, let the chives sit for a few minutes to aerate them until they are completely dry.
Also, you can dry them by rolling them on a towel
Step 2. Cut 1/2 cm thick with a knife or special kitchen shears
Make sure the pieces are small and the same size so they dry evenly. After the chives are cut, set aside for a while.
Step 3. Sprinkle evenly on the baking sheet
First, remove the pan from the dehydrator. Then, sprinkle the chives on the baking sheet and leave some space between the chives so that they dry evenly. Try not to add too many chives at once. If necessary, you can divide the drying process into several drying cycles.
- Do not set the temperature on the dehydrator until all the chives have been added.
- Think of this tool pan the same as the oven pan. If you want the chives to dry evenly, they must be placed carefully on the baking sheet.
- Put the chives in the storage area beforehand if you're not going to dry them right away.
Step 4. Heat a pan with chives in a dehydrator for two hours at 35°C
Leave the chives in the appliance for at least two hours. Check periodically to see if the chives can fall between your fingers easily. Leave the chives in the appliance for up to six hours.
If your home tends to be damp, you may need more time to dry the chives
Step 5. Put the chives in a glass jar with a tight lid
Turn off the dehydrator and remove the chives. If necessary, use a funnel to place the dried chives into an airtight container, such as a glass jar. After closing the jar, store the chives in a cool place out of reach of sunlight. Remember that dried chives like this can last for several years.
Do not store chives near the refrigerator or on the stove, as this can affect their quality. Make sure the chives smell like onions, and if they don't, then the chives are no longer fresh
Method 4 of 4: Hanging and Airing Chives
Step 1. Wash the chives with cold water and pat dry
Put the chives in a bowl of cold water and stir to remove any dust or dirt on the chives. Once clean, place the chives on a dry paper towel. Use another piece of tissue paper to dry the chives. Finally, aerate the chives for 2-3 minutes.
To make the chives drier, try rolling the chives on a paper towel that can absorb the remaining water
Step 2. Unite and tie the chives
Collect the chives and tie them for easy gripping. Tie the stems with twine or rubber bands to ensure the chives stick together without damaging them. In this step, pick and remove any wilted or dead chives that are still attached to the stems of other chives.
Trim the tops and bottoms of the plant that are sticking out by trimming them if you want the chives to look even
Tip:
If you are harvesting chives from the garden, trim the stems in the morning after the dew has dried, which is when the chives are at their healthiest and most flavorful.
Step 3. Hang the chives upside down in a paper bag
Make about 15 holes or small incisions on each side of the paper bag to allow air to flow through. Tie the top with twine and hang the chives in a bag. Make sure the chives are upside down, otherwise the oil from the stems won't flow down.
- This paper bag protects the chives from dust and prevents the sun's rays from ruining their green color.
- Try to cut or cut the paper bag as big as a pinhead.
Step 4. Hang the bag of chives in a warm, dry place
Hang the chives for about two weeks until they are fairly brittle to the touch. Do not store chives in the cooking area or near anything that emits a strong odor. If you put sensitive chives around these items, the texture and flavor of this herb will be damaged.
Check every few days to make sure no mold is growing on the chives
Step 5. Store the dried chives in an airtight container
Check the chives every few days to keep an eye on the drying process. When the chives are crunchy and crumbly to the touch, place them in an airtight container such as a glass jar. When storing it, make sure to keep the chives away from direct sunlight.
- Chives can last for several years if properly dried.
- Chives have a characteristic onion-like odor. If you can't find them, chances are your dried chives are no longer fresh.
Tips
- Before drying the chives, remove the purple flowers on top as they tend not to dry out easily.
- Choose the freshest chives to maximize their taste when dried.
