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There’s a lot of infusing that goes on in my kitchen. There are oils, vinegars, tinctures, medicines, drinks, honeys, and more all needing strained at some point. I’ve learned through trial and error and lots of straining with various success levels that one method isn’t necessarily good for all things. To that end, I have 3 methods for straining herbal infusions. These methods and tools get my infusions strained easily and clearly.
Method 1: Wire Mesh Strainer
Wire mesh strainers work great for thicker infusions, think infused honey or syrups. Things that need slightly larger holes to work through easily. Most of these come with long handles and knobs to hold them over jars and bowls. Keep a variety sizes on hand – large ones for things like rhubarb cordial and small ones for infused honey. The smaller ones are nice because they often fit on jars or measuring cups to make for easier pouring and storing. The larger ones are better for bigger items, i.e. fruit versus herbs.
Method 2: Filters
For things that are particularly fine, the wire mesh strainers are likely to let some minuscule bits through and that just isn’t okay sometimes. This is where a good filter comes in handy. Lining one of the mesh strainers with cheesecloth can be effective but not always. Coffee filters lining a mesh strainer will also work. Disposable ones can be expensive and in my experience they soak up a lot of oil, meaning less final product but they will work in a pinch. Reusable filters will work and save money in the long run.
I discovered these amazing little yogurt strainers recently. They’re like a reusable coffee filter but they have nodules on them meaning they’ll hang over an appropriately sized container without the need for placing inside a strainer for stability. They’re very handy, fairly inexpensive, wash up easily and take up a small amount of storage space.
[sc:Herbarium ]
Method 3: Jelly Bag
When straining cooked berries, rose hips, etc. it’s most effective to let them hang and drip in a jelly bag. There are commercial models on the market that come with stands, etc. They’re very handy, however it’s easy to create a do-it-yourself jelly bag: simply using muslin or a double layer of cheese cloth in a bowl so that the edges of the cloth hang over the edges of the bowl. Put the berries inside the bag, tie up the corners, an hang from a cabinet knob over a bowl to drip, squeeze if necessary (when making actual jelly – no squeezing or the jelly clouds and that means no ribbon at the fair).
What’s your preferred method for straining infusions? How do you cut back the mess and gain the most product?
[sc:Useadsenselarge ]
I replaced my old jelly bag with an old cotton pillow case, works wonderfully. I find coffee filters frustrating for just about anything I’ve tried, from yogurt to maple syrup. I have different size strainers and I am open to expanding my collection. That yogurt strainer looks fabulous.
That pillow case (threadbare) is a great way to store lettuce and cilantro in the fridge. Soak with and wring out water, add veggies to bag. Roll bag up lightly put into a plastic shopping bag (Walmart type). Keeps in veggie drawer a while.
ALSO! I frequently make too much salad all at once to toss in the bowl. So I put all of the cut salad in the pillow case and zip it up and toss it around like that and then dump it back in the bowl.
I use a potato ricer. Works great for all my straining.
What a great idea!
Thank YOU! I have known there was something out there but not a clue what it is called!
You can also buy tea ball made for steeping or boiling herbs.
For sure tea balls are great for small quantities.
Hi Kathie 🙋
I’ve been making fire ciders, oxymels & the like for a couple of years now but find that, despite my best efforts at decanting time, I end up with a muddy sediment in the bottom after a few months.
I’m wondering if a yogurt strainer like the one you mention below would solve my problem? The Amazon link doesn’t specify the mesh size, but I think it would need to be 400 microns to do the trick. So far, a paper coffee filter or a 1 ply paper towel are the most effective – but, they take hours & I have to swap them out half way through because they silt up.
This is a great topic, thanks so much for posting! 🤗
That sediment can be a bugger. The yogurt strainer works for me but I have a very old one. I wonder about a regular coffee filter, like one of the gold ones?
Love this post! What would be the best for straining dry herb powders, atm I’m using muslin cloth but particles are still coming through, which I’m not a fan of. Thanks
@Rebecca,
I have the same issue, I use powdered Golden seal and cayenne in a balm I use and trying to strain it out is awful especially since the balm can set up faster than I can strain it out. I need something that catches the powder, but releases the oil quickly so I can pour into jars before I need to reheat it 😋😋😋. I’m hoping the reusable coffee strainer or yogurt one WILK work 💖