Drying nasturtiums - from preparing to using

Which parts of the nasturtiums are suitable for drying?

In principle, you can dry all parts of the nasturtium. However, depending on the subsequent use, there are also other, possibly more suitable methods of preservation and storage. In principle, the dried parts of the plant are not particularly suitable for raw consumption, but they can be used to season cooked dishes. If you would like to season salads later, we recommend making a flower vinegar.

Preparations for drying

The more delicate the parts of the plant that you want to dry, the lower the drying temperatures should be and the more carefully you should pretreat the dry material. For example, the flowers are not washed, only dry-cleaned. Dry the different parts of the plant separately from each other, they need different drying times. This is especially true when drying in the oven.

Put the dried and completely cooled plant parts into a dark screw-top jar. Tightly closed, stored in a dark and dry place, the nasturtium will keep for a few months. If there is moisture, however, there is a risk of mold formation.

You can easily dry the nasturtium seeds in the sun. They are edible and have a spicy and hot taste. It is best to use the seeds freshly ground. You should keep some of them and sow them in the following spring, then you can expect a rich harvest again next year.

The most important tips for drying:

Only dry flowers at low temperatures
It is best to air dry seeds
Protect dry goods from mold

The use of the dried nasturtium

You can make tea from the dried leaves and flowers of the nasturtium. For half a liter of water you only need about two teaspoons of dried herb. The water should be hot but not boiling anymore. Let the nasturtiums steep for about ten minutes and strain the tea. The tea helps with colds or cystitis, for example.