Write down the steps in preserving pudina (mint) leaves by dehydration method.
Answers
1.
Harvest the mint. For any variety of mint, the herb is ready for harvest just before it reaches its flowering stage. Cut the mint in the morning, after any dew has dried, using garden pruners or a sharp knife.
Cut the mint about one-third of the length down the main stem. Doing so ensures that the plant will have enough strength to grow back.
Cutting the mint just before it flowers will give you the most aroma and flavor since this is the point in the growing cycle at which the leaves contain the most oil.
Gently shake each branch after cutting it to remove any insects that might be hiding out.
2. Wash and dry the mint. Rinse each branch of mint in cold, running water. Dry them thoroughly using clean paper towels. The mint must be completely dry before you continue.
Lay the mint out on a paper towel and pat it dry. Then, lay out the mint in a single layer on a paper towel and allow the stems and leaves to air-dry for another hour or two. Be sure that none of the mint is stacked.
If using a salad spinner, place the bunches of mint in your salad spinner and dry the visible water off using the device. You should still lay the mint out on clean paper towels afterward to continue drying for another hour or two.
3. Consider separating the leaves from the stalks. The only drying method that requires you to keep the stems is natural or air drying. For all other drying methods, you should separate the mint leaves from the stems before drying the mint, since the process will be easier before the mint dries
Simply pluck the leaves off with your fingers. You could also cut them off with a sharp knife.
Inspect the leaves for damage or disease as you remove them. Discard any bad leaves and keep all the leaves in good condition.