Harvesting, drying, freezing

Discussion in 'Herb Gardening' started by marlingardener, Jul 14, 2020.

  1. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    With the heat I've been harvesting herbs early in the day (no, I wasn't out in my nightgown cutting herbs!). Today I hung thyme and marjoram to dry, chopped and froze parsley, and have basil chopped and frozen, and also hanging to dry.
    My husband looks at all that greenery with dismay, because he knows I'll feel compelled to use every last little bit of it. Anyone for an "omelette aux herbes"?
     
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  3. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    Yes !! Me !! When is breakfast/brunch/dinner ? Is Bloody Mary included ? Or ??

    (no, I wasn't out in my nightgown cutting herbs!). Why not ? All my animals know what I look like in my gown ! (And half the community ! )
     
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  4. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    Aw come on Marlingardener, fess up! I bet you were out in your nightgown!

    (Every morning I do my garden tour in my PJ's.)
     
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  5. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    No, I do not garden in my nightgown. That "mild Texas breeze" blowing up the skirt is disconcerting, to say the least!
    Mart, would you settle for a glass of chilled Chenin Blanc?
     
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  6. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Hooray Jane!! Good onya for getting out there and "doin' the herb". I could most certainly go for one of those omelette's. Oh yeahhhh.
     
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  7. Dirtmechanic

    Dirtmechanic Young Pine

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  8. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    Mart, would you settle for a glass of chilled Chenin Blanc?

    That will work !
     
  9. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    The small size is only $2195. ! Why not just get one of the vacuum type machines and put stuff in your freezer ? Friend of mine has one and loves it ! Makes foods last a long time in the freezer !
     
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  10. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    Question ?/ Why wouldnt one of the air fryers on low serve the same as an air dryer ?? Not a freeze dryer but serve the same purpose !!
     
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  11. Dirtmechanic

    Dirtmechanic Young Pine

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    I have a fancy toaster oven that does both air frying and dehydrating and proofing. The higher the airflow the lower the temp needs to be because heat transfers via convection and also as radiant heat from the elements. The low of an air fryer is not as low as the Breville stove goes. So I had to go check and here are the lowest settings.

    First the low on air fry IMG_20200718_214309_resize_53.jpg

    Then the low on dehydrate IMG_20200718_214321_resize_29.jpg


    Then interestingly the lowest low is proofing, but I also found the super convection works on proofing. I wonder if it would blow yeast foam all over with the wind? IMG_20200718_214349_resize_85.jpg

    Anyway the difference is that the freeze dryer freezes first, and does so as it increases pressure like a pressure cooker but the opposite of a hot process. Then, when it is good and cold, and I am talking below zero down to -40f, the pressure is released or maybe a vacuum is created. They call it sublimation, this process where the ice in the goodies turns straight into a gas and gets sucked out of the machine. There is no oxidation like a dehydrator causes so things do not shrivel or change color, etc.
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2020
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  12. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    Well if you are worried about things shriveling up,,,,ok,, thats enough from me !! its been a long few days !!
     

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