Q&A for How to Dry Basil

Yes, but it will take about four weeks to dry.

Yes! But after the plant has flowered it is likely to have a much stronger flavor and smell, so you won't need to use as much. Some people prefer it once it has flowered and some do not like it at all, it's really a matter of preference.

One way to use basil is to snip and wash one leaf and drop it into bottled water at night. By morning, the water is infused with a light and refreshing taste.

If it is airtight, all of the moisture from the leaf will stay inside and breed bacteria, so yes.

You probably could, but you would only be making more work for yourself. It is easier to handle whole leaves through the drying process, rather than tiny chopped pieces. When thoroughly dried, the leaves will crumble nicely into flakes as you roll them between your fingers.

Yes and no. It can be difficult but they can technically be dried in a microwave. You really don't want to use heat when drying herbs, though. If you use heat from an oven or microwave it will cause them to be less flavorful and they will lose flavor much more quickly. That's why it's recommended to air dry herbs as opposed to heat drying.

Yes, there are a variety of ways to freeze herbs. Just make sure that it is sealed so that it does not get freezer-burned.

They are typically best if they are used within 6 months. They may be safe to use for slightly longer than that, but they will not retain much of their flavor.

Basil flowers can be used to add a decorative touch on salads. They can also be used as a garnish on pasta, meat and veggie dishes.

Yes, you can eat fresh basil flowers and include them as part of the plant being dried (or eaten fresh if preferred). Fresh basil flowers are delicious and can be quite flavorful.

Certainly, the basil flowers are edible and will also dry along with the leaves. They may add additional flavor to the dried basil, so they're worth keeping if the plant is flowering.