Mint is an aromatic herb very appreciated for its inimitable smell and its ultra fresh taste! In addition to its importance in the summer drink that is the mojito and the tabbouleh that accompanies it, it also has many virtues that we have mentioned in the past. In herbal medicine, it is one of the best medicinal plants to facilitate digestion. However, it is not always easy to know how to keep your herbs fresh. Mint can quickly deteriorate over time and this applies to all mints (peppermint, pennyroyal, spearmint, etc.). This is why we are giving you here all the secrets to keeping it for a long, long, long time… Here is what you need to know so that preserving fresh mint no longer has any secrets for you.
1) Conservation by growing mint in pots
This refreshing plant is easy to grow and doesn’t require too much space or effort, so it can be planted in a garden or vegetable patch, or on a balcony in a pot or planter for spring and summer cultivation. You can even keep it indoors, in a very bright room to cultivate it all year round. To always have some available and not weaken the plant, cut the stems, leaving at least two leaves below. Finally, it should be picked in the morning: this is the time when it is the tastiest.
2) Refrigeration for preserving fresh mint
To keep the stems you have harvested or a recently purchased bouquet, choose, clean and drain the prettiest leaves and place them between two sheets of damp paper towel which you can re-moisten with a water spray. Keep everything in the fridge in the vegetable drawer (about a week).
3) Or head to the freezer!
If you have too many to consume before it spoils, select the prettiest leaves, wash them and place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper without overlapping them. Let them freeze, then place them in a freezer bag. It is also possible to chop the mint and place it in ice cube trays. It will thus be ready to use to flavor all your dishes or make good digestive herbal teas from this aromatic and medicinal plant.
4) Conservation by drying the mint
As mentioned earlier, pick it in the morning so that its taste is very pronounced. Also remember to wash it. To dry it, there are two methods. You can place the leaves without stem in an oven preheated to 60° then turned off. Leave them there for 5 to 20 minutes by checking the condition of your future dried leaves every 5 minutes. If you’re not in a hurry, you can also hang bunches of mint upside down in a dry, dark, warm place. Drying takes about one to two weeks and should result in storage in an airtight jar.
5) And finally thanks to maceration
Keep the most beautiful leaves green and unblemished. After rinsing the stems under water and drying everything with a cloth or paper towel, you can strip everything and leave the leaves to macerate for a week or two in a jar filled with olive oil or vinegar. Then filter everything with cheesecloth or a filter. This mint could be added to your salads and dishes.
Some ideas for recipes and uses of fresh mint to take advantage of this excellent preservation!
You’re lucky to have fresh mint! Thanks to our mint preservation tips, you will be able to please yourself with our ideas for uses and recipes. Enough to make the most of the shoots from the vegetable garden or planters.
Mint infusion: Boil water and add some fresh mint leaves. Leave to infuse for a few minutes, then filter. You can drink this infusion hot or let it cool for a refreshing drink. You can also prepare a delicious homemade mint syrup. It will be ideal in sparkling water, a cocktail or lemonade.
Mint tabbouleh: Prepare a classic tabbouleh by mixing fresh parsley, tomatoes, onion, lemon, olive oil and semolina. Then add chopped fresh mint leaves for an even fresher flavor. It is ideal as an accompaniment to many dishes, especially with fish or meat cooked on the barbecue!
Mint fruit salad: Cut fresh fruits such as strawberries, melons, watermelons and citrus fruits into pieces. Add some chopped fresh mint leaves and mix. You can also add a drizzle of honey to lightly sweeten the fruit salad. For a surprising sweet and sour starter, also try the watermelon, strawberry and cucumber salad with mint and feta.
Mint sauce to accompany dishes: Mix natural yogurt with finely chopped fresh mint leaves, salt, pepper and possibly a touch of lemon juice. This sauce is delicious with grilled meat dishes like lamb.
Homemade mojito: Crush a few fresh mint leaves with sugar in a glass, add lime juice, then fill the glass with ice cubes and white rum. Top up with sparkling water and stir. It’s a refreshing cocktail perfect for hot days.
Mint pesto: Replace basil with fresh mint in your usual pesto recipe. Blend mint with walnuts, garlic, parmesan, olive oil and salt for a flavorful sauce to serve with pasta or as a side.