Easily Strip Fresh Herbs From The Stem With A Common Kitchen Tool - Tasting Table

"To take all the fuss out of pulling the dainty leaves off thyme, tarragon, and other woody herbs individually, simply thread your herb's stem through one of the holes in your strainer and pull. This works best with the grain (or with the leaves pointing up), as pulling the other way can snap the stem. If you push your herbs through the top of the strainer and pull down, their leaves will end up neatly connected in the mesh, ready to chop, crush, or scatter."

"If you don't have a strainer, you can do the same thing with your colander, provided it has small enough holes. This is just one of several great uses for the humble colander (beyond draining pasta, that is). If you don't have a strainer or a colander, you should probably get yourself one or the other - maybe these Cuisineart 3-Pack Mesh Strainers or this 2-Pack of Bellemain Micro-perforated Colanders. Additionally, you can utilize pretty much any kitchen tool with a hole the right size."

Threading the stem of woody herbs such as thyme and tarragon through a fine-mesh strainer hole and pulling with the grain strips leaves cleanly and quickly. Pushing stems through the top and pulling down leaves the foliage connected in the mesh, ready for chopping, crushing, or scattering. Pulling against the grain can snap the stem, so direction matters. The technique works best on tougher, woody herbs and not on softer herbs. A colander with small holes works similarly, and many other kitchen tools with appropriately sized holes can be used.

Read at Tasting Table