From my perspective as a Greek oregano plant (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum), the ideal moment for you to harvest is just as my flower buds begin to form and swell. This is the peak of my essential oil production. The sun's energy is concentrated in my leaves, not yet diverted to the taxing process of flowering and setting seed. Cutting me on a warm, dry morning, after the dew has evaporated but before the intense midday sun, ensures my volatile oils are at their most potent. Please use sharp, clean shears to make a clean cut, which I can heal from more effectively, encouraging a new flush of bushy growth for a potential second harvest later in the season.
My primary goal after being harvested is to rapidly reduce my moisture content to prevent microbial growth and enzymatic breakdown, which would lead to rot and a loss of my characteristic pungent aroma. The key is gentle, consistent air circulation and warmth, not intense heat or direct sunlight, which would cook my delicate leaves and cause my precious essential oils to evaporate. The best method is to bundle 5-10 of my stems together and hang me upside down in a warm, dark, and well-ventilated area. Hanging me upside down uses gravity to pull the essential oils down from the stems into the leaves, concentrating the flavor where you want it most.
You will know I am perfectly dry and cured when my leaves are brittle and crumble easily between your fingers. My stems will snap cleanly rather than bend. This process typically takes one to two weeks under ideal conditions. It is crucial that I am completely dry before storage. Any residual moisture trapped in a sealed container will lead to mold, ruining the entire harvest. This final curing stage stabilizes my chemistry, locking in the compounds like carvacrol and thymol that give me my signature Mediterranean character.
Once fully dry, the process of separating my leaves from their stems is simple. Over a clean, dry surface, gently run your fingers down each stem, against the direction of leaf growth. The crispy, aromatic leaves will easily strip away. Alternatively, you can place the bundles inside a large, clean paper bag with holes punched in it and gently crumble them; the bag catches all the leaves. Immediately place my crumbled leaves into an opaque, airtight container, such as a dark glass jar or a tinted mason jar. Store this container in a cool, dark cupboard away from heat and light, which are the two elements that will most rapidly degrade my flavor and medicinal properties.
