Dried bay leaves will give your dishes an even greater richness of aroma and taste.

You can buy them in almost any store, but if you have it in your garden or somewhere nearby you can prepare it.

Bay leaves are not usually eaten, but are used in cooking as a flavor enhancer.

Since fresh bay leaves have an extremely bitter taste and pungent smell, mainly dried ones are used for cooking purposes and to dry them at home.

Air drying

To air dry bay leaves, place the leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet and cover with a paper towel.

Place the sheet in a dark and dry place where the leaves will not be exposed to direct sunlight, and that is adequately ventilated and ventilated.

Bay leaves need to dry for fourteen days and you can turn them over after the first week to make sure they dry evenly.

This method helps the bay to retain its natural essential oils, which will give your dishes a rich flavor.

dehydration

Place the bay leaves in a single layer on the dehydrator tray.

Dry them for one to four hours, depending on the humidity level.

You'll know the process is complete when the leaves turn brown and stiff. If green spots remain, allow the leaves to dry longer.

Bakery

Plants need low temperature and air circulation to dry properly. If you want to dry the bay leaves in the oven, set it to the lowest temperature (ideally at 90°C) and place the leaves in a single layer on a baking tray. Turn the bay leaves every twenty minutes to ensure even drying and they should be dry within an hour or two.

Microwave oven

Place the bay leaves in a single layer on a plate and microwave for thirty seconds. Flip over the bay leaf, then microwave for another thirty seconds.

Flip and microwave the bay leaf in thirty-second intervals until wilted, which may take two to three minutes.

Before and after drying

When preparing to dry bay leaves, the first thing you need to do is to choose suitable leaves - dark green and without spots. Collect leaves from plants that are at least two years old and are best harvested in summer.

Before drying, wash them thoroughly under running water to remove all dirt and dust, then blot excess moisture with a paper towel before drying. Store dried bay leaves in an airtight container or in a sealed plastic bag. Dried leaves will last up to a year.