Flower pot cultivation
You do not have to go without tasty herbs during the cold winter months. There are several ways to enjoy them all year round. They can be dried or frozen, and you can even grow them yourself in a flower pot, flower box or a bowl. This can be easily done in even the smallest apartment. Parsley, oregano, hyssop, basil, rosemary, thyme and sage are bested suited to flower pot cultivation.
Drying
Herbs should be harvested as whole twigs, washed and carefully dabbed dry. Bind the ends of the twigs together and hang them upside-down in a warm, dark place. The temperature should not exceed 30° C in order to prevent excessive loss of aroma. It takes approximately 14 days for the bunches to dry completely. Cutting them into small pieces will lead to further loss of aroma. They should therefore be stored in a dark, air-tight container.
Freezing
It is best to freeze washed and dried herbs and packaged in small portions for greater convenience. Small plastic bags and ice-cube trays are an excellent solution.
The frozen herbs should be placed directly into the cooking pot, because thawing leads to a further loss of aroma.
Pickling
Dried herbs are best suited to pickling in oil or vinegar. Place them in a sealable vessel and fill with oil or vinegar. Add more liquid to intensify the aroma of the oil or vinegar. The vessel should be placed in a sunny window for several weeks. The taste of the herbs will vary depending on the kind of oil used.
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