If you’re looking to keep that signature sweet scent of sweet woodruff around long after the spring harvest, you’re in luck! There are a few great ways to preserve it so you can enjoy it year-round. The most popular methods are drying and freezing, and honestly, both work like a charm.
Different Ways to Preserve Sweet Woodruff
When it comes to preserving your sweet woodruff, you generally have two main paths:
Why Preserving is Actually Better
Here’s a cool insider tip: both of these methods actually make sweet woodruff taste *better*. When you first harvest it fresh, the aroma is surprisingly faint. It’s only through the wilting, drying, or freezing process that the plant releases its full, signature fragrance.
Plus, by preserving it, you aren’t limited to just a few weeks in the spring. Whether you dry it or freeze it, you’ll have fragrant sweet woodruff ready to go whenever a recipe calls for it.
Drying Sweet Woodruff
There are a couple of ways to dry your harvest. The old-school method is to bundle the stems together and hang them upside down in a warm, well-ventilated spot for a few weeks. A lovely bonus? Your whole house will smell amazing while it dries!
If you’re in a bit of a hurry, you can also use your oven or a food dehydrator. Just make sure to keep the temperature very low—you want to gently dry the leaves, not cook or burn them.
Once it’s crisp, store your dried sweet woodruff in airtight glass jars to keep it fresh.
Freezing Sweet Woodruff
If you prefer the freezer, it’s just as easy. I recommend portioning the stems and leaves into freezer bags or containers before popping them in. That way, you can just grab exactly what you need for a drink or a dessert without thawing the whole batch.
One quick safety tip: if you freeze sweet woodruff into ice cubes for a punch, don’t leave them in the glass to melt completely. Steep them for a bit to get the flavor, then remove the plant parts to keep the coumarin levels (the stuff that gives it that scent but can cause headaches in high doses) in check.
The Pro Tip: Combine Both for Maximum Flavor
Want to know the secret to the most intense flavor? Use a combination of both methods! Let your sweet woodruff air-dry for about a day until it’s slightly wilted, and *then* put it in the freezer. This little “pre-dry” step really kicks the aromatic scent into high gear.
