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How to store thyme at home
Thyme is a semi-shrub plant with small dark green leaves. During flowering, it attracts bees and butterflies with a fragrant scent. It is very important to know how to store thyme at home. In the future, the herb can be useful for the treatment of colds, insomnia, bronchitis and even alcoholism. For a long time, the people have used the healing properties of thyme, or thyme, as it is also called. It was also believed that the plant has magical powers, expelling evil spirits.
How to store thyme: the drying process
To create blanks, the stems, leaves and flowers of thyme are collected. They are dried on a warm summer day, spreading the grass in the shade. The process must follow all the rules:
- Choose a convenient spot to dry your thyme. Keep it in a well-ventilated area.
- Be puzzled in advance by finding a large piece of thick fabric, tin sheet or tray on which you will spread the raw materials.
- Lay the paper on the prepared surface, and then spread the parts of the plant over it, leveling everything with your hands.
- Cover this with a gauze cloth, otherwise small insects, dirt and dust will then appear in the grass, which will be difficult to reach.
- Leave the thyme there for a period of 3 to 5 days at a temperature not exceeding + 35 ° C so that the essential oils do not evaporate from it.
How to store thyme at home: rules
The fact that drying is over is evidenced by the darkened parts of the plant, which have become more rigid and easily crushed in the hands. In this case, the grass should have a healthy green tint.
How to store thyme properly?
Once dried, the thyme should not be left unattended. Prepare it immediately for further storage so that you can use thyme preparations all year round.
- Use a large mesh sieve or manually separate the discarded stems from the leaves and flowers.
- Sprinkle the sifted raw materials into glass containers, pack in linen bags or arrange in boxes made of thick cardboard.
- When packing, pay attention to the fact that the layer of grass in the container should not exceed 7 cm. Now remove everything in a dark, dry place.
- Store thyme pouches or boxes in a well-ventilated area out of the sun.
Try not to put dried thyme in plastic bags. There he will rebuke in a short time and lose his healing properties. Subject to all storage rules, thyme can be used for 1-2 years.