Buzz
If you want to dry sage leaves on your own, don't worry—it's actually quite easy. Sage is one of the easiest herbs to dry because its leaves are firm and contain less moisture compared to other plants. Before drying sage leaves, make sure to separate the leaves and wash them thoroughly. Since sage leaves dry quickly, the ideal method is to hang them up. If you prefer to speed up the drying process, you can use an oven or a food dehydrator. Once dried, store the sage leaves in an airtight container.
Steps
Prepare the Sage Leaves Before Drying
Remove the leaves from the stems. Sage leaves are relatively thick, so they dry faster when removed from the stem. Gently pluck each leaf and place it on a clean towel.
- You can also use sharp scissors to cut the leaves off the stem, but this method will take more time.
Discard any damaged, dirt-covered, or flawed leaves. Inspect each leaf to ensure they are all fresh and healthy. If any leaves are not, the final product could have an off taste that may ruin the flavor of your dish.
Check for insects on the sage leaves. Insects are common on herbs, including sage. Carefully examine each leaf to ensure there are no visible signs of pests, such as bugs crawling, webs, or white spots that may be insect eggs.
- You can remove the insects, but it's best to discard any leaves with webs or possible eggs.
Rinse the sage leaves with cool water and shake off the excess moisture. Hold the sage leaves in your hand or place them in a colander and rinse them under running water for a few seconds. Sage leaves are quite large, so washing them in a colander is easier. Shake off the water and place the leaves on a dry, clean towel to dry.
Dry the sage leaves with a clean towel. Gently press a dry towel onto the leaves to absorb any remaining water. Place the dried leaves on a clean, dry towel afterward.
Drying the Sage Leaves
Gather the sage leaves into a small bundle. Pick up each leaf and carefully hold them together at the stems. Be sure not to bundle more than 8 leaves to allow airflow, which helps the leaves dry properly.
Tie the bundle tightly with twine, string, or rubber bands. Wrap the string around the stems to secure the bundle. Leave a bit of extra string to either hang it or attach another string to the stems for hanging.
- If you use a rubber band to tie the bundle, it will tighten as the sage dries, preventing the leaves from falling off.
Cover the sage bundle with a paper bag that has a few holes punched in it. The paper bag will protect the sage from dust, while the holes allow air to circulate around the leaves. Place the paper bag over the bundle, leaving the bottom open.
- You can also wrap the bundles in a piece of cheesecloth instead of using a paper bag, but avoid plastic as it will cause mold to form.
- Some people prefer not to cover the bundles at all, as they enjoy the sight of drying herbs, but in that case, you should keep an eye out for dust.
Hang the sage bundles in a well-ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight. Hang the bundles upside down on a string or line. Ensure that the drying area has good airflow, such as near a fireplace or in a dry area of your kitchen.
- It’s best to dry the sage indoors to preserve more flavor and color.
- You can also place sage leaves on a paper towel to dry. Spread the leaves out on the towel and change it daily.
- Avoid moist areas in the home like sinks, cooking areas, or dishwashers.
Rotate the bundles every 1 or 2 days to ensure even drying. Remove the bundle from the hook and rotate it. Even though it might seem like air circulates evenly around the sage, different sides of the bundle can dry at different rates. For instance, the side exposed more to the air or light will dry faster than the other side.
Be mindful of mold if you live in a humid climate. Herbal plants can quickly develop mold if exposed to damp conditions. While you can still dry sage leaves in humid areas, be extra cautious and monitor the leaves closely for signs of mold. If you notice black spots or white patches on the leaves, remove the bundle immediately.
- If you reside in a very humid area, it may be better to try a different drying method, such as using a food dehydrator.
Dry the leaves for 7 to 10 days. Check the sage leaves daily to assess their dryness. Make sure you allow enough time for them to dry completely, as storing them too early may lead to spoilage.
Check if the leaves are dry. Examine the leaves to see if they are crispy and dry. Take a leaf and rub it between your fingers to see if it crumbles easily. If the leaf breaks apart quickly, it’s fully dried.
Treat dried sage leaves to eliminate insects and their eggs. Insects and their eggs may remain on the leaves, so it's important to treat them after drying. You can do this by using an oven or a freezer.
- If using the oven, heat the leaves at 70°C (158°F) for 30 minutes. Be careful not to overdo it, as this could damage the leaves.
- If using a freezer, freeze the sage leaves for 48 hours.
- This treatment step is not necessary if you’re using a dehydrator to dry the leaves.
Dehydrate sage leaves in a food dehydrator.
Set the food dehydrator to a low temperature. The ideal temperature for dehydrating sage leaves is between 35 and 45°C. Dehydrating at a lower temperature may take more time, but it minimizes the risk of burning the leaves and damaging the final product.
- If you are in a high-humidity area, you might need to set the dehydrator temperature to around 52°C.
Spread the sage leaves evenly on the tray. Ensure that the leaves do not touch or overlap, as this can result in uneven drying. You may need to do multiple batches if you have a large quantity of leaves to dehydrate.
Dehydrate only the sage leaves to prevent flavor contamination. While it might be convenient to dehydrate herbs and fruits together, doing so may cause their flavors to mix. It is best to dehydrate each item separately in the dehydrator.
Check the leaves every 30 minutes to monitor their dryness. Depending on the type of dehydrator, it may take between 1 to 4 hours to fully dry the sage leaves. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended drying time.
Test the dryness of the leaves. Inspect the edges of the leaves to see if they feel crisp. If they appear dry, take a leaf and crumble it between your fingers—if it breaks apart easily, the leaves are fully dried.
Drying sage leaves in the oven
Spread the sage leaves evenly on a baking tray. It's best to line the tray with mesh fabric or parchment paper before placing the sage leaves on top. Ensure that the leaves do not touch or overlap, as this will cause uneven drying. Partially dried leaves may spoil.
Set the oven to its lowest heat setting. Choose the lowest temperature setting on your oven, as oven drying can quickly degrade the flavor, color, and oils in the sage leaves. Drying slowly is the best way to prevent spoiling the final product.
- The maximum temperature you should use is 82°C.
Crack the oven door slightly if using an electric oven. This helps with air circulation and ensures the leaves dry properly while preventing the temperature inside the oven from rising too high.
- If using a gas oven, do not crack the door due to safety concerns with gas leaks. Instead, open the oven every 5 minutes to allow airflow.
Flip the leaves after 30 minutes of drying. Remove the baking tray from the oven and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Wear oven mitts and use tongs or a fork to flip the sage leaves, then return the tray to the oven.
Wait for an hour to dry the sage leaves. Set a timer and check the leaves every 15 minutes to ensure they don't dry out too quickly.
- If you suspect the leaves are drying too fast before the hour is up, take them out earlier. Herb leaves are very susceptible to over-drying.
Test the dryness of the sage leaves. The leaves should be dry and brittle. Rub a leaf between your fingers to see if it crumbles easily.
Storing Sage Leaves
Crush the sage leaves by rubbing them between your fingers. If you're using sage as a spice, it's best to crush the leaves. Crush each leaf individually until all the sage leaves are broken down and ready for storage.
- Keep the sage leaves whole if you want to bind them into a bundle.
Store the dried sage leaves in an airtight container. You can use a food jar, Tupperware container, or a resealable plastic bag. Make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent moisture from getting in, which could spoil the sage leaves.
Store the sage leaves container in a cool, dry place. You can keep the sage leaves in a dish cabinet, cupboard, or refrigerator.
- If using a transparent container to store the sage leaves, make sure to keep it in a dark spot to preserve the color of the leaves.
