If you’ve ever picked fresh sweet woodruff, you might have noticed something surprising: it doesn’t actually smell like much right away! That signature “woodruff aroma” only really kicks in after the plant has had a few days to wilt. To help you get the most out of that fragrance—or to keep your harvest fresh for months to come—there are a few tried-and-true ways to preserve it.
Ways to Preserve Your Sweet Woodruff
When it comes to keeping your sweet woodruff stash ready for use, you’ve got three great options:
- Drying it out,
- Freezing it,
- Or turning it into a delicious syrup.
Drying Sweet Woodruff
Even if you plan on using your freshly harvested woodruff soon, you should let it air-dry for a few days first. This wilting process is what really unlocks that intense scent. Plus, a nice side effect is that your whole house will smell amazing while it dries! If you want to keep it long-term, drying the stems completely is the way to go.
The easiest method is to tie the stems into small bundles and hang them upside down in a warm spot with plenty of airflow. If you’re in a hurry, you can use an oven set to about 100°F (40°C) with the door slightly cracked, or use a food dehydrator.
Just a heads-up: don’t overdo it. You want the leaves to stay a soft green color rather than turning brown. Once they’re dry, pop them into airtight glass jars, and they’ll be ready whenever you need them.
Freezing Sweet Woodruff
Interestingly, freezing has the same effect as wilting when it comes to bringing out the flavor. If you’re in a rush, just toss the stems in the freezer for a few hours before using them in a recipe to supercharge the aroma.
For long-term storage, you can freeze woodruff indefinitely. I recommend letting the stems wilt for about a day first to maximize the flavor, then portioning them into freezer bags or containers.
Whenever you’re craving that forest-fresh taste, just grab a portion, let it thaw, and add it to your favorite drinks or desserts.
Making Sweet Woodruff Syrup
If you want a “grab-and-go” sweetener, making a homemade syrup is a fantastic option. It’s perfect for stirring into sodas or drizzling over treats. To make it, let your woodruff wilt overnight first. Then, prepare a simple syrup (boiling water and sugar) with a splash of lemon juice.
Submerge the woodruff in the syrup and let it steep for several hours. Once the flavor is just right, squeeze out the stems, bring the syrup back to a boil one last time, and funnel it into clean bottles. Just like that, you’ve got your own DIY woodruff syrup ready for the pantry!
