How to Dry Chamomile Flowers
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Wondering what to do with those chamomile flowers growing in your garden? Read on to discover how to dry chamomile for making tea, infused oil, and more. No dehydrator required.
Recipe at a Glance: Dried Chamomile Flowers
- Details
- Preservation method: Dehydration
- Storage: In a sealed jar
- Storage life: Up to 1 year
- uses for Dried chamomile
- Steep it in hot water to make tea.
- Infuse oil with the dried flowers as a base for homemade skincare products.
- Gift them as part of a tea set or potpourri blend.
Chamomile is very easy to grow from seed in most climates, and makes a pretty addition to pots and flower beds. It will continue to produce flowers over most of the summer, and while these pretty little daisy-like flowers are lovely to look at, they are also incredibly versatile once dried. You can speed up the process by using a dehydrator, but if you’ve got some time and patience, all you need is a cool, dry place to store the flowers as they dry.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chamomile–Use flowers that are fully in bloom, with full sized petals. Gently brush away any dirt or insects before drying.
How to Dry Chamomile
1. Remove the flower head from the stem once it reaches a full bloom.
2. Place in a cool, dry place and let air dry until shriveled and completely dry. Transfer to a jar.
FAQs
I recommend at least 3 to 4 plants. If picked and dried continuously throughout the summer, one plant will yield 1 to 2 cups of dried flowers.
Ways to Use Dried Chamomile
Put your dried chamomile flowers to good use with these great ideas:
- Steep in hot water to create homemade chamomile tea.
- Sprinkle them in a hot bath for a soothing, relaxing experience.
- Infuse it in oil as a base for homemade skin care products, including lotions, body butter, and more.
- Add them to a homemade potpourri blend. This makes a great gift!
Storage
Store your dried chamomile in a sealed jar in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year. Although they are safe to use after this point, they will lose flavor.
Tips & Troubleshooting
- If you are growing chamomile, continue picking the flowers throughout the summer. This will encourage the plant to produce more.
How to Dry Chamomile
Ingredients
- Chamomile flowers
Instructions
- As the chamomile flowers reach full bloom, remove them from the stem by pinching off the head right where it meets the stem.
- Place the flowers on a baking sheet in a cool, dry place until they are shriveled and completely dry, about 2 weeks. Transfer them to a sealed container and store for up to 1 year.
Notes
- Repeat, repeat, repeat–Continue picking the flowers throughout the summer. This will encourage the plant to produce more.
