No DisappointMINTs Here
Mint is what I call a gateway herb. We were probably first introduced to the taste when we were little and started brushing our teeth with toothpaste. From that point, we may have had candy canes and peppermint patties during the holidays and then graduated to mint in our iced tea as we got older. It’s a familiar scent and taste for most of us and one that I am especially fond of enjoying throughout the year.
Anyone who has an herb or container garden most likely has some mint growing. I don’t have to tell you what happens after a few seasons, do I? If you don’t, I will tell you. It takes over any space it can spread to, so be mindful of that if you start growing it. I never had the heart to tame mine back by pulling up the roots, so my garden has exploded with mint. I’m not a wasteful person either, so letting it die back each fall was just as hard. Over the past few years, I have developed a system so that I can harvest the mint with less waste. Not only have I put it to good use for myself, it helps keep undesirable insects away and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It’s a win-win situation for sure!
Mint is part of the Lamiaceae family, which have square stalks, opposite leaves, and are aromatic when the leaves are rubbed or cut. Mint belongs to the same family as some of our favorite plants and herbs such as lavender, basil, catnip, bee balm, lemon balm, oregano, patchouli, and thyme. If you visit a nursery or local store selling plants, you can easily find a variety of mints to suit your taste. Mint is quite versatile and can be used in food, beverages, and topical applications.
Minty Recipes
Mint Water
Remove 4-6 inches off the top of 10-12 mint stems (keep leaves on stem) and check for bugs
Boil 2 quarts of water in a pot on the stove
Once boiling, add your mint then remove from heat and cover
Allow to sit several hours until it reaches room temperature
Strain and store in refrigerator
This is a refreshing twist to drinking plain water. I use about 1 quart of mint water in place of plain water when I brew my iced tea.
This mint water can also be put into a spritz bottle and sprayed directly on skin for a cooling sensation when overheated. Keep refrigerated.
Dried Mint Leaves
Harvest healthy stems and leaves from your mint plants. Dry as desired. I dry mine the old-fashioned way by placing on a cookie sheet and turning daily until dry. I keep it out of direct sun and in a well-ventilated area so it dries faster. Once dry, remove the leaves. I have a coffee grinder dedicated to my herbs. I simply grind the leaves up a little at a time. Keep them coarsely ground. You don’t want the mint to become a powder because it will seep through your tea infuser and you’ll have floaters in your beverage. It won’t hurt you, but your beverage won’t be clear. Store dried mint in a glass container. Your mint tea will be so much better than any store-bought tea bag! During the winter, I drink it as a hot tea. It is also good for settling an upset stomach. I do brew iced tea in the winter too. I have a large tea infuser and make mint water from the dried herbs instead of using fresh mint water. I dry about 1-2 cups of mint each summer so I have enough to last me through the next growing season.
Relax with Mint
Mint Bath Salt
I created this recipe because I wanted minimal ingredients and natural coloring. Using fresh herbs will incorporate a touch of color into your bath salt mixture without adding dye. Another perk is that the scent lasts a long time if stored correctly. You can experiment with adding other herbs and essential oils if you wish to enhance the fragrance or serve a specific purpose. I have made a mint and lavender combo that looks and smells great all on its own. If you experiment with color, make a test batch because the end result doesn’t always match the color of the flower petals or herbs you are using.
Harvest a handful of fresh mint leaves and set aside
In a food processor, add 1 cup Epsom salt and ½ cup baking soda
Add mint leaves and grind until mint leaves are crushed and well incorporated
Spread evenly onto a cookie sheet and allow to dry for 24 hours
Once dry, put back into food processor a little bit at a time to remove the clumps
Grind to a smooth texture
Store in an airtight container and use as a foot or bath soak.
This makes a great gift! The possibilities are endless if you grow fresh herbs and flowers in your garden, why not give it a try this year!
