Dried and fresh herbs are both rich in nutrients. Their consumption is very important in human life and has a wide range of properties that are amazing. Proper use of dried and fresh herbs is not only effective in maintaining health, but their use can also play a role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. For this reason, it is recommended to use a variety of fresh and dried herbs in your daily diet for various purposes, including preparing food, making herbal teas, etc.
Sometimes it is better to use dried and fresh herbs as a medicine to improve and accelerate the course of your treatment. Of course, using any type of herb requires information so that you know how much, how and when to consume it. Only in this case, the result will be satisfactory and will be beneficial for your health. So, stay with us to get to know the benefits, advantages, and disadvantages of dried and fresh herbs in more detail.
Comparing dried and fresh herbs
A significant amount of water is formed in the tissue of growing fresh plants, for this reason, they gradually lose their freshness and sometimes become spoiled or wilted after separation from the roots. Therefore, the best way to preserve the minerals and nutrients of plants is to dry them in a healthy, hygienic environment and store them in a dry place. So, the most striking difference between dried and fresh plants is the amount of water in the tissue. There are also other common differences, which are mentioned below.
Fresh herbs
- Storage time
Fresh herbs are harvested when they are growing, so they should be consumed immediately or within a short period of time, at most a week. But dried herbs have a longer shelf life and if stored in ideal conditions, i.e. a dry and moisture-free environment, they can be used with good quality as they were on the first day.
- Calories and nutritional value
It is obvious that fresh herbs contain more nutrients, but the modern lifestyle has led us to replace them with dried herbs most of the time. However, in terms of calorie content, dried herbs have more calories and it is better to use them to a moderate extent in the diet. In terms of nutritional value, it can be said that dried herbs are denser and more compact than their corresponding fresh counterparts, and in the same amount of a dried herb, compared to the same amount of the same herb fresh, there are more valuable nutrients.
- Method of consumption
Dried herbs are usually used in the form of ground or powdered for various purposes, including making sauces, herbal teas, medicinal uses, flavoring food, etc. But fresh herbs are more suitable for salads, various sandwiches, cooking traditional dishes, etc.
Which is better for cooking?
The choice between dried and fresh herbs depends more on the type of food and your taste. Sometimes it is not possible to use fresh herbs for any reason, and dried herbs are the best choice to make your food unique. Also, sometimes it is not necessary to use fresh herbs to flavor various foods, as it spoils the appearance of the food. For this reason, we often use dried herbs or spices with bright colors for cooking.
Are dried herbs a good substitute for fresh herbs?
Often, when fresh herbs are included in the recipe of a dish, but access to and enough time to prepare them is not possible, we turn to dried herbs. This replacement of dried herbs with fresh, accelerates the cooking process and has a satisfactory result. However, there are some minor differences that we will explore to some extent below.
- Unique aroma
One of the advantages of consuming dried herbs is that they have a stronger aroma than fresh herbs, which is never negligible. Because the drying process increases the concentration of aromatic substances in the plant, and even in some cases, a significant amount of dried extract is added to the mixtures for cooking food.
- Difference in taste
The amount of active ingredient or essential oils in plants changes during the drying process, so they have a different taste from fresh herbs. But if used in the right amount and combined with other foods correctly, it will lead to the ideal result.
- Nutrients
As you know, vegetables are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential for health and strengthening the immune system. Dried and fresh herbs are close to each other in terms of preserving mineral compounds, but the antioxidant effects and the benefits of having beneficial vitamins are somewhat lost under the influence of the drying process of the plant. And it is better to say that in comparison with dried herbs with each other, the process and technology of drying the plant can be effective in the amount of nutrient preservation.
Benefits of consuming fresh herbs
Fresh herbs contain the highest amount of nutrients and give a delicious flavor to various traditional dishes. They can be used to cook food in all conditions using various methods, such as sun drying, mild heat drying, or oven drying. Fresh and dried herbs are both derived from living plants, but there are some fundamental advantages and disadvantages between them. Here are some of them:
- Nutritional value
The amount of active ingredients in fresh herbs is significantly higher, and it is recommended to consume them as much as possible. The drying process causes changes in the texture of the plants, which leads to a slight reduction in beneficial substances, but the main properties of the plant never change.
- Healthier
Fresh herbs can be washed before use and consumed shortly after harvest, so they are less exposed to contamination. However, the health of dried herbs depends on the quality of the drying process, as they undergo different conditions during the drying process.
- Trustworthy quality
The freshness and texture of fresh herbs can be easily identified by eye, but dried herbs have a different appearance, which makes it more difficult to distinguish. Additionally, it is sometimes necessary to consume only a part of the plant, such as leaves, stems, roots, flowers, or seeds, which can only be done with fresh herbs.
- Lower cost
Although fresh herbs require preservation, protection from damage, and proper packaging from the time of harvest to the end consumer, they are less expensive than dried herbs. This is because the care of dried herbs requires time-consuming and specialized equipment. As a result, the simple drying process increases the cost, and dried herbs are generally more expensive than fresh vegetables.
Benefits of consuming dried herbs
As we mentioned earlier, consuming fresh and dried herbs and vegetables is important in the daily diet. However, the growth and harvesting times of herbs vary. Therefore, it is not always possible to access fresh herbs throughout the year. The best solution is to process and store fresh herbs as dried herbs so that we can access these nutritious and delicious herbs all year round.
Longer shelf life
Dried herbs, as the name implies, have no moisture and can be stored for a long time. However, fresh herbs that are harvested while growing are very sensitive and have a shorter shelf life. They must be consumed at the right time to avoid wilting or losing their nutrients.
Easy storage
Fresh herbs are usually irregular in shape, with roots, stems, leaves, and other plant parts. They are not easy to pack in the desired packaging and usually take up a lot of space. However, after drying, they become smaller and lighter, making them easy to pack and use at any time.
Portability
Dried herbs are very suitable for transportation. They take up very little space and will never mold or spoil during transportation. They are also easy to pack and will not change under normal physical handling or weather conditions.
Conclusion
Dried herbs have a longer shelf life, are easier to store and transport, and are more affordable than fresh herbs. The choice between fresh and dried herbs depends on your individual needs and preferences.
