How to Dry Strawberry Leaves

Strawberry leaves can be a flavorful and aromatic addition to teas, desserts and other culinary creations. While fresh strawberry leaves impart a lovely flavor, drying these leaves allows you to preserve their taste and aroma for months or even years. Drying concentrates the leaves’ flavors and makes them more potent. With properly dried strawberry leaves you can enjoy strawberry leaf tea, add the dried leaves to baked goods and smoothies, or utilize their skin-soothing properties in DIY skincare.

Drying strawberry leaves at home is a simple process that anyone can do with minimal equipment. Here is a step-by-step guide to drying strawberry leaves at home.

Step 1: Harvest the Strawberry Leaves

The first step is harvesting fresh, healthy strawberry leaves. Pick leaves that are vibrant green in color and free of any blemishes, holes, or damage. For best flavor, harvest the leaves in the morning after any dew has evaporated but before the heat of the day sets in. The leaves have the highest concentration of oils early in the day.

Wash the freshly picked leaves gently under cool running water. Be sure to wash each leaf individually to remove any dirt or debris. Dry the clean leaves thoroughly with a salad spinner tea towels or paper towels before proceeding.

Step 2: Remove the Stems

Removing the tough stems from the strawberry leaves helps ensure even drying, Use a pair of kitchen shears to snip off the stems close to the base of each leaf Discard the cut stems

Step 3: Select a Drying Method

You can use various methods to dry strawberry leaves at home:

• Air Drying: Tie the stems of the leaves together and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Allow 1-2 weeks for full drying.
• Oven Drying: Arrange leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at the lowest oven temperature setting (ideally less than 170°F) for 1-2 hours until crisped.
• Dehydrator: Set the dehydrator to 95-115°F and dry leaves for 6-10 hours, checking for doneness.
• Microwave: Not recommended as it may diminish flavors.

Air drying is the slowest method but retains the most flavor. A food dehydrator dries leaves fastest.

Step 4: Check for Dryness

There are a few ways to check if the strawberry leaves are fully dried:

• The leaves should be brittle and crumble easily when touched.
• There should be no moisture felt when crumbling a leaf between fingers.
• The leaves will have lost their original green color and turned brown.
• Dried leaves will feel lightweight and papery.

If any moisture remains, continue drying until the leaves pass these dryness tests.

Step 5: Store the Dried Leaves

Once the strawberry leaves are fully dried, store them properly to retain their flavor and aroma.

• Place leaves in an airtight glass jar or rigid plastic or metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Mason jars work well for storage.

• You can also use zip-top bags, vacuum seal bags, or Mylar bags to store dried leaves. Exclude as much air as possible.

• Keep stored leaves away from light, heat, and moisture. A cool, dark cupboard is ideal.

Step 6: Use Your Dried Strawberry Leaves

The dried strawberry leaves will infuse tea with lovely flavor. Use 1-2 teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of hot water and steep for 5-7 minutes. Sweeten if desired.

For cooking, grind the leaves into a powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Sprinkle the powder into baked goods, yogurt, oatmeal, and smoothies.

You can also utilize dried leaves in DIY skincare products like facial scrubs and masks to harness their skin-soothing benefits.

With proper storage, dried strawberry leaves will retain their flavor and fragrance for up to 2 years. If they lose their aroma or turn brown, it’s time to compost them and dry a fresh batch.

Follow these simple steps for drying strawberry leaves at home. With a supply of dried leaves, you can enjoy strawberry leaf tea and add strawberry leaf flavor to recipes all year long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you dry strawberry leaves in the sun?

It’s not recommended to dry strawberry leaves in direct sunlight. The heat and UV rays can damage the leaves, diminishing their flavor and aroma.

Should you wash strawberry leaves before drying?

Yes, gently wash leaves to remove dirt and debris before drying. Make sure leaves are thoroughly dried afterward.

How long does it take to dry strawberry leaves?

Drying times vary from 1-2 weeks for air drying to 6-12 hours for a dehydrator. Oven drying may take 1-3 hours.

What’s the best way to store dried strawberry leaves?

For longest shelf life, store dried leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Glass jars or sealed bags work well.

Can you dry strawberry leaves in a microwave?

Microwave drying is not ideal. The leaves may overheat, diminishing their flavor and aroma. Slow air drying is best.

How do you know when strawberry leaves are fully dried?

Leaves are done drying when they are crisp and crumble easily. They will be lightweight and brownish in color when completely dry.

Can you dry strawberry leaves with pesticides?

It’s best to only dry leaves from pesticide-free plants. Chemical residues could remain on treated leaves.

Drying strawberry leaves allows you to enjoy their flavor all year long. Follow the proper harvesting, drying, and storage steps for the best results. With this simple process, you can make strawberry leaf tea or add dried leaves to recipes to impart delicious strawberry aroma and taste.