Whether chives, parsley, basil, etc. – fresh herbs give our dishes a delicate touch and have become an indispensable part of our summer kitchen. Less well-known, but just as aromatic and delicious - lovage has been one of the most popular herbs and medicinal plants since ancient times and you can now either buy it at the weekly market or plant it yourself in the garden. Lovage is growing in large quantities in your garden and you don't know what to do with it? In order to enjoy the wonderful taste all year round, we will tell you the best methods for drying lovage below. And as a bonus, we have a few delicious lovage recipes for you.
How to harvest lovage?
In contrast to other culinary herbs, lovage grows very quickly and the herb can be harvested 4 to 5 times from just one location. Since the smell of lovage is reminiscent of the popular Maggi spice, it is also known as “Maggi herb”. To dry lovage, the correct harvest time is crucial. The leaves are particularly aromatic shortly before flowering in June and the essential oil content is highest after a few dry days.
However, the aromas are lost during drying and for this reason the best time to harvest would be shortly before flowering begins between May and mid-June. Lovage is best harvested in the late morning when the ground is already well warmed. As soon as the plant parts are dry, cut off the young shoots with a sharp knife or secateurs. A regular harvest also ensures that new shoots continue to form. Very important - so that the maggi herb does not lose its taste, you should dry the harvested lovage immediately after harvesting.
Drying lovage: How to do it right
Like herDry chives, we have already explained to you. If you have harvested more maggi herb than you could use fresh, then drying it is an excellent way to store the aromatic culinary herb. To dry lovage, you can choose from the following methods.
Air drying
Air drying is probably the gentlest option for drying lovage because it means the leaves retain their taste.
- The first option is to hang the herb as a bouquet. To do this, tie the lovage loosely together at the stem ends with thread and hang it upside down in a suitable location. Depending on the size and thickness, it takes between 8 and 12 days for the maggi herb to dry. Very important when air drying - avoid direct sunlight, otherwise the essential oils and aromas will quickly be lost.
- For the second method of drying lovage, you need an air-permeable surface, such as a mesh or cotton gauze. Lay the leaves with the stems on the wire, making sure they do not overlap. Allow to dry in a dark place at a temperature between 20 and 30 degrees and turn carefully every 2-3 days.
Dry lovage in the oven
Yes, you can also dry lovage in the oven and the method is much quicker and easier than air drying. To do this, line a large baking tray with baking paper and distribute the fresh shoots evenly on it. In order for the maggi herb to dry evenly, it is important that the shoots do not lie on top of each other. Place the baking sheet in the lower oven area and let the herb dry for 3 to 4 hours. For gentle drying and so that the shoots do not lose their aroma, dry the lovage at a maximum of 40 degrees and leave the oven door slightly open.
In the dehydrator
A food dehydrator is a great kitchen aid and allows us to make our own dried fruits and vegetables. So it's no wonder that we can also use it to dry maggi herb. To do this, distribute the fresh shoots evenly on the drying sieve and place it in the dehydrator.
Dry lovage seeds
The best thing about maggi herb? You can dry not only the shoots and leaves, but also the seeds! The lovage seeds are also used in the kitchen and are ideal for seasoning various dishes. The best time to harvest the seeds is in late summer when they are already brown. To do this, hang them upside down as described above and place a bowl underneath them - when they dry, the seeds will fall down. The drying time takes between 5 and 7 days.
Lovage recipes: You can use maggi herb for this
What you forUse chive flowers, you already know. So that all your work is not in vain, you should immediately put the lovage into lockable and airtight containers after drying. Always crumble the herb shortly before use and not before - otherwise the flavors will disappear. In a dry, dark place, such as a kitchen cupboard, dried maggi herb will last between 12 and 15 months. Here are a few ideas for what you could use dried lovage for.
For seasoning dishes
Dried lovage is most often used as a spice in the kitchen and the fine leaves are ideal for seasoning fish, meat, soups, salads and sauces. Blanched, the young shoots also taste particularly good as a light summer side dish. Dried lovage seeds, on the other hand, can simply be ground into a mortar and used as a spice for pastries and bread.
Make your own lovage salt
In contrast to the popular Maggi seasoning, our lovage salt does not contain any flavor enhancers or artificial flavors. To do this, crush the dry leaves into a fine powder in a blender or with a mortar. Weigh the powder using the kitchen scales and then add about ten times the amount of salt. Mix well and your lovage salt is ready.
