- What are Lightly Dried herbs?
A world-first innovation responding to consumer demand for fresh herbs that last, Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried are simply fresh herbs which have been lightly dried (just enough) to stay fresh for 4 weeks once opened and refresh in cooking.
- How long to do the herbs & spices last?
The lightly dried herbs stay fresh for 4 weeks after opening when stored in the refrigerator. Reseal after use and pop back in your fridge. To keep your lightly dried fresher, keep dry (away from steam).
- How do I store my Lightly Dried herbs?
The best way to store your Lightly Dried pouches is in your fridge door friendly herb caddy. Simply store all your favourite herbs in your fridge door caddy and take it out of the fridge when you’re ready to cook….it’s like having a herb garden at your fingertips!
- Do you still make Dill Paste, Parsley Paste, Lightly Dried Ginger, or Lightly Dried Garlic?
Unfortunately these products have been discontinued. You can find our current range of herbs and spices here.
- How do I use Lightly Dried herbs in cooking?
Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried herbs are so easy to use, just simply sprinkle, garnish or rub into your cooking, just like you would fresh chopped herbs or spices. The great thing about Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried is that they refresh in cooking.
Each pinch pouch has handy tips on what dishes to use them in and what other herbs, spices and ingredients they love and marry with.
- Can I use Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried with Gourmet Garden Cold Blended Pastes?
Absolutely, Gourmet Garden allows busy cooks to have a range of herbs and spices always on hand for a variety of cooking applications.
Cold Blended Pastes are ideal for stirring into sauces, soups and marinades and rubbing onto meats and vegetables. Whereas, Lightly Dried is perfect for sprinkling into pastas, salads, and stir-fries as well as garnishing soups and pizzas.
You can definitely combine Lightly Dried herbs with cold blended pastes (i.e. Lightly Dried Basil to garnish a garlic pasta carbonara….a match made in heaven!)
- Do I have to wash the Lightly Dried herbs before using?
No, the Lightly Dried herbs have already been washed and roughly chopped for you ready for you to sprinkle, garnish or rub into your cooking.
- What allergens are in Lightly Dried?
There are no allergens such as milk, egg, gluten or nuts in the Lightly Dried range.
- How are the Lightly Dried herbs preserved?
Simply lightly drying in combination with oil and sea salt, which act as natural preservatives.
- Where do the herbs come from?
All the Lightly Dried herb and spice varieties are Australian grown.
- What cold blended paste products contain allergens?
Milk: Our Lemongrass Cold Blended Paste contains ingredients derived from milk.
Wheat/ Gluten: Our products do not contain any ingredients derived from wheat/gluten
- What are the other ingredients in Gourmet Garden cold blended paste?
There are no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives in our herbs and spices. There are a few simple food ingredients included in the product, though their role is about creating an environment where harmful bacteria cannot grow. These ingredients are kept to a minimum and it’s about having a product which is fresh and safe for people to consume and still deliver the fresh taste of herbs and spices to you in a convenient pack.
- How long can I keep Gourmet Garden out of the fridge?
We recommend that Gourmet Garden be returned as soon as practicable to refrigerated temperatures. Leaving the product out of the fridge for longer than half an hour is not advisable, as with any other chilled product.
- What temperature should Gourmet Garden products be refrigerated at?
4 degrees C / 40 degrees F or less, is suitable for storing Gourmet Garden, so normal household refrigerators are perfect.
- Is Gourmet Garden a substitute for dried or fresh herbs?
Gourmet Garden can be substituted in any recipe where fresh or dried herb or spice is part of the cooking/flavouring process. Gourmet Garden provides the taste of fresh herbs and spices with all the convenience of dried herbs and spices. Just add according to your own taste.
- How much Gourmet Garden Cold Blended Pastes should I use?
Flavours are a very individual choice so if you are an adventurous cook, go ahead and squeeze a little, taste recipe and then add more.
If you’re not 100% sure, we suggest in cooking to use 1 tablespoon of paste to replace tablespoon of freshly chopped herbs or spices.
- My garlic paste seems different, why?Due to recent floods, we are working with new suppliers for Australian garlic which may mean our garlic paste delivers slightly different flavour, aroma and colour.
- How does Gourmet Garden Cold Blended Pastes stay fresh tasting?
A secret recipe using a balance of ingredients has been created to maintain the natural flavour and texture of the selected herb or spice. The herbs and spices are harvested at a time that maximizes their flavours. This crop is then washed, chopped and cold blended for you to discover the fresh chopped taste when you open the tube in your home.