Is mint growing like wild fire in your garden? More mint than you know what to do with?
Mint is a versatile herb used in a wide range of dishes, from savory to sweet, and it is a wonderful accompaniment to tea or with tea. This article will walk you through some of the science behind different types of mint as well as different ways you can use excess mint.
I grow three different types of mint in my garden: apple mint, peppermint and spearmint. All are members of the Lamiaceae plant family. I originally planted it as a ground cover in my rose bed because mint is a good repellant against aphids. (It is also known to keep mosquitos away.)
Spearmint Applemint Peppermint
All three mints have quite diverse flavors. Peppermint's flavor is strong, minty, warm, and pungent with the sensation of coolness and a slight spicy nuance with a high content of menthol. Compared to peppermint, spearmint has a more delicate flavor and fragrance that is often described as sweet. It gets its flavor from the chemical ingredient carvone, which is much subtler than the aforementioned menthol and doesn’t evoke the same cooling sensation. Apple mint has its own distinct flavor that is a combination of a mild, fruity apple note and has a milder minty flavor than many other mint varieties.
If you realize you purchased the wrong herb, or if you can’t find the one you need at the store, are peppermint and spearmint interchangeable? The answer is yes, with a caveat.
Because peppermint is so much stronger than spearmint, you won’t want to use a 1:1 ratio. Instead, if a recipe calls for a certain amount of spearmint, use little amounts of peppermint at a time until you get the desired taste. If a recipe calls for peppermint and you only have spearmint, know that your finished dish will be milder than anticipated.
Tips for cooking with mint:
- For the brightest, most intense flavor, use fresh mint and add it toward the end of the cooking process.
- Use dried mint leaves for dishes that simmer, like sauces and stews, to allow their flavor to develop.
- If you want a subtle flavor for beverages like iced tea, simply add a few sprigs and let the flavor disperse over time. Some people like to make ice cubes with mint leaves in them.
- To keep fresh mint vibrant, store it like a bouquet of flowers in a glass of water on the countertop or in the refrigerator. You can also dry your mint to keep it preserved for longer periods of time.
- To dry mint leaves naturally, rinse and pat them dry, then hang the sprigs in small bunches upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated area, such as an attic or pantry, for one to two weeks. If you don’t have an attic, cover the hanging mint in a brown lunch bag.
Teas that pair well with mint include all green teas including Jasmine and black teas, especially Ceylon.
If you have done everything you can think of using up the mint that is growing in your garden, give some away. Folks who don't garden will love to have fresh herbs. They are immediate mood boosters, and the fragrance alone will brighten someone's day. Mint is one of my favorite herbs because it is so useful, and it smells amazing.
If you live in the Martinsburg, WV vicinity and would like to grow mint, give me a call and I’d be more than happy to give you some plants.