Can you use dill after it starts flowering?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Although flowering dill may be hard to recognize by flavor and texture, it remains useful. The leaves have progressed too far on the flavor spectrum and have reached peak bitterness after flowering occurs. There are culinary uses of value after the flowering plants bloom - the flowers and seeds! By pinching back the buds, you can encourage flowering and extend the harvest period on the leaves. I also purposely let some plants bloom to utilize every part of the plant in the kitchen that season.
Flower Applications
- Infuse vinegar for 2-3 weeks for salad dressings
- Garnish soups and grain bowls visually
- Dry for tea blends with calming properties
Seed Utilization
- Grind for spice rubs on meats and vegetables
- Whole seeds in rye bread dough
- Pickling spice component
Leaf Management
- Use only in cooked dishes like soups and stews
- Blanch briefly to reduce bitterness
- Combine with milder herbs like parsley
Collect flowering dill parts at their best times. Dill flowers should be cut at full bloom, but before they start to turn brown. Collect dill seeds once the seed heads are brown and turning papery. Mature dill leaves should be collected still fresh, at the time of harvest, because the flavor dissipates quickly. I collect dill in the morning hours when the essential oils and flavor projections are most concentrated and flavorful.
To effectively preserve dill after flowering, dry the flowers by hanging them upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area. For seeds, store them in airtight containers (clipping). For leaves, chop and mix them with olive oil, then freeze in muffin tins. Be sure to label everything with a date. Dill, when preserved correctly, maintains a reasonable flavor for 12-18 months.
Use flowering dill in a well-thought-out way to maintain the balance in flavor. Use some acid like lemon juice to cut through the bitterness of the leaves. Use seeds carefully because they are more potent when heated. Steep flowers in cream for use in potato dishes. I tend to omit the raw application after the dill has matured, as the flavor becomes more pungent and the texture becomes more floral.
Read the full article: How to Grow Dill Successfully
