Freeze Dried Chives | How to Freeze Dry Fresh Chives Step by Step

Name: Freeze Dried Chives
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Ingredients: Fresh chives - as much as you would like to spread on the desired number of freeze dryer trays!

Freeze Dried Chives | How to Freeze Dry Fresh Chives Step by Step

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Today we will be making some Freeze-Dried Chives! By taking some Fresh Chives harvested from the Herb Garden & Freeze Drying them in the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, we’ll end up with a Bright & Full Flavor Dried Herb! Freeze-Dried Chives work great for Dips, Soups, as a Garnish & added to Recipes for some great Fresh Herb Flavor!

Fresh Chives to be Freeze Dried in the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer — Fresh Chives to be Freeze Dried in the
Harvest Right Freeze Dryer

Freeze Dried Chives in the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer — Fresh Chives to be Freeze Dried in the
Harvest Right Freeze Dryer

How to Freeze Dry Chives is gone over, step by step in this video on YouTube. Check it out by following the link below!

Freeze Dried Chives | Harvest Right Freeze-Dried Herbs | How to Freeze Dry Fresh Chives Step by Step

Freeze Dried Chives

By taking some Fresh Chives harvested from the Herb Garden & Freeze Drying them in the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, we'll end up with a Bright & Full Flavor Dried Herb! Freeze-Dried Chives work great for Dips, Soups, as a Garnish & added to Recipes for a great Fresh Herb Flavor!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Extra Dry Time (100 Degrees): 3 hours

Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

Fresh chives - as much as you would like to spread on the desired number of freeze dryer trays!

Instructions

Wash & pat dry Fresh Chives, then evenly spread onto the Freeze Dryer Trays. Place Freeze Dryer Trays into the freezer for at least 2 hours to overnight (pre-freeze) or Start from Step 1 below.

**These Instructions are for a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer - Follow your Freeze Dryer Manufacturer's Instructions if different

Press [Customize]
Initial Freeze Temp -10 Degrees
Dry Temp 100 Degrees
Extra Dry Time 3 Hours
Then Press [Save]
Press [Start] - the Freeze Dryer will begin a 15 min Cooling phase; this is a good time to get what you want to Freeze Dry ready!
Remove Chive filled Freeze Dryer Trays from the Freezer, if pre-freezing or prep Fresh Chives as above.
Load Trays into Freeze Dryer when prompted to do so on the screen
Close Drain Valve (Turn Valve Perpendicular to the Drain)
Press [Continue]
Warm Trays phase will begin press [Up Arrow] or [Down Arrow] as needed to adjust time
Once the Freeze Drying process has completed, the Freeze Dryer will show Process Complete, begin Beeping and prompt you to Open the Drain Valve (Turn Valve Parallel to Drain) (*see Notes below)
You can then Press [No Defrost], [More Dry Time] or [Defrost] (*see Notes below)
Remove the Trays of Freeze Dried Chives and Store the finished product in an Airtight Container, Mason Jar, Vacuum Sealed Bags or Mylar Bags! (*see Notes below)
Or further process the Freeze Dried Chives to make Minced Chives or Chive Powder! A food processor or high-speed blender work well for this.
Freeze-Dried Chives work great for Dips, Soups, as a Garnish, as well as added to Recipes for some great Fresh Herb Flavor!

Notes

If you are not available when the Freeze Drying process is completed, the Freeze Dryer will automatically enter into a freeze phase to help keep the Freeze Dried food preserved until you are ready to remove the trays!
You can press Warm Trays if the Freeze Dryer has gone into the above freeze phase before removing them from the Freeze Dryer.
No Defrost = the Freeze Dryer will not heat to defrost the machine for you. Simply leave the door open and the Freeze Dryer will defrost gradually at room temperature. The accumulated ice will melt and empty through the open drain valve as it defrosts.
More Dry Time = the Freeze Dryer will continue to dry the Fresh Herbs the designated additional time.
Defrost = the Freeze Dryer will heat up and defrost the machine for you; the accumulated ice will melt and empty through the open drain valve as it defrosts.
Freeze Dried Chives typically last many months in an Airtight container (dependent on humidity of the storage area) or longer in Vacuum Sealed Bags / Mylar Bags with Oxygen Absorbers.

Freeze-Dried Chives store nicely in an airtight container, mason jar or zip-top/vacuum sealed bag at room temperature. I like to store them in a glass clamp top jar for bulk storage
and in a smaller mini mason jar for the spice cabinet!

Here Are Some Helpful Items When Freeze Drying Chives & other Fresh Herbs as well as In The Kitchen!

Harvest Right Freeze Dryer – https://affiliates.harvestright.com/2910.html
Henckels Knives (3 Piece Classic Set) – https://amzn.to/3H02zOV
Henckels Knives (3 Piece Premio Set, with Santoku Knife) – https://amzn.to/3YDp1mq
Henckels Zwilling (3 Piece Pro “S” Set) – https://amzn.to/3K0Otht
Henckels Kitchen Shears – https://amzn.to/3X2ddsT
Winco Heavy-Duty Plastic Cutting Board with Groove (18” x 24” – other sizes available) – https://amzn.to/3Avq0hN
Cutting Board Mats – https://amzn.to/3dvDDSE
Boos Cutting Board (Light Wood Tone) – https://amzn.to/3V82opu
Boos Cutting Board (Dark Wood Tone) – https://amzn.to/3LcwGmn
Ninja Master Prep Set – https://amzn.to/444tnqd
Norpro Canning Essentials Set: https://amzn.to/3EKFU71
Ball Home Preserving Starter Kit: https://amzn.to/3Ze3RMj
Plastic Mason Jar Lids (White, 8 Wide & 8 Regular Mouth Set) – https://amzn.to/3Szwv8e
2 Gallon Reusable Storage Bags (Freezer Safe, Set of 4) – https://amzn.to/3HobwkM
Ziplock Bag Holder (Set of 4) – https://amzn.to/3nR55iL
Cellophane Bags (4”x 6”, Self-Sealing, Pack of 200) – https://amzn.to/40zHhyy
2” Round Homemade Label Stickers (500 Pack) – https://amzn.to/3M2TmI0
Bormioli Rocco Fido Clamp Top Glass Jars (2 Pack, 50.75 Oz, Blue Top) – https://amzn.to/3u0S1u9
Bormioli Rocco Jar Replacement Gaskets (Set of 6) – https://amzn.to/48jq28e
Mason Craft Clamp Jars Set (Larger Jar Set) – https://amzn.to/3PoIItP
Mason Craft Clamp Jars Set (Mini Jar Set) – https://amzn.to/3B1AN1o
Ball Mini Jars (4 oz) [24 Pack] – https://amzn.to/3nhQp8Q
Food Saver Vacuum Sealer Machine (With Express Vacuum Seal Bag Maker & Handheld Vacuum Sealer) – https://amzn.to/3dKZdTu
Amazon Fresh [Items to Freeze Dry & supplies can be purchased here!] (Great for Busy Day or Any Day Grocery Shopping!) – https://amzn.to/40LH4HE

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