How to Freeze Thyme

Fresh thyme can be used in a variety of recipes. However, if you have more thyme than you can reasonably use at one time, freezing the excess thyme can allow you to store what you have for later use.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBYU6Dy1wcU   As with other herbs, once you're ready to use the thyme, it can be added to your recipe without thawing and will retain a flavor similar to that of fresh thyme.http://books.google.com/books?id=htGD3Y7WNxwC&pg=PA117&lpg=PA117&dq=uses+of+frozen+thyme&source=bl&ots=ViT9wl6bMQ&sig=QrvftSKF7ItZxkXINBCWDRwG94c&hl=en&ei=yIlxTfN6lLSwA9iroc8D&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CE4Q6AEwCA#v=onepage&q&f=false 

If you want to freeze your sprigs of thyme individually, you'll need to plan an extra hour into this process.  This will keep the sprigs from freezing together.  However, this step is not required.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBYU6Dy1wcU 

The fresh thyme should be gently washed before the freezing process.  The herb can be patted dry as much as possible and then left to air dry the rest of the way.  You can break the thyme into smaller, individual use pieces.  Lay each of the herb pieces on a small tray or cookie sheet.   Once the thyme is laid on the tray, put the tray in the freezer.  Leave it in the freezer for about one to one and half hours.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBYU6Dy1wcU   

Once the time has elapsed, take the frozen thyme out of the freezer.  Take the frozen thyme off the tray and put it in the air tight container.  If using a zip lock freezer bag, make sure to squeeze all of the air out of the bag.   After doing this, put the thyme back in the freezer.  By taking the time to freeze the herb in this way, it will not freeze together in a clump.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBYU6Dy1wcU