How to store fresh mint: several ways
Content
Why store mint
Peppermint is most beneficial in the middle of summer. By this time, the content of essential oils in the leaves and stems of the plant reaches its maximum concentration. Then the growth of the grass slows down, and the stems direct all their strength to the formation of inflorescences. In blooming mint, the amount of nutrients is much lower than in young plants. Therefore, lovers of the refreshing mint taste try to have time to pick the grass before flowering, and keep fresh mint greens as long as possible.
Mint is also widely used in folk medicine. If there is dried mint herb in the house, we can assume that no diseases are terrible. In winter, a soothing tea is made from dried herbs. Mint drops, which are not difficult to prepare at home, are an indispensable medicine for heart pathologies, toothaches, and nervous disorders. To relieve headaches, heal wounds, from colds, nausea, it is better to use fresh leaves of the plant, since they contain more menthol ester.
An experienced hostess always does not use mint greens in the kitchen. In cooking, it is an indispensable ingredient for refreshing drinks and a wide variety of dishes: from meat to chocolate desserts. In hot summer, no one can resist a glass of "mojito" with an amazing mint flavor, and even a simple cocktail will become a culinary masterpiece if you decorate the glass with a sprig of mint.Fresh mint is a very delicate plant that withers literally immediately after being cut. So the question is: how to store mint? - is relevant even in summer, because the wilted grass loses its healing and aromatic properties after a few hours.
Video "Detailed instructions"
Detailed instructions for storing mint.
Storage methods
If the greens need to be kept fresh for a short time, then you can use the following methods:
- place the stems of the plant in a container with water - this method ensures the storage of fresh herbs for several days, and if you change the water daily, the mint can stay fresh for a week or more;
- wrap in a wet cloth - mint may not be in such a package for long, before the fabric dries.
If you need a longer preservation of greens, you cannot do without a refrigerator. Before being placed in the refrigerator, the grass must be rinsed well and slightly dried - too moist greens can rot. Next, the plants must be folded into a bag or plastic container, and then hermetically sealed to prevent air from entering. With this method, the greens are kept fresh for 5-7 days. To keep mint for a long time, and it will last until the next harvest, the following harvesting methods are used.
Freezing
Frozen mint can be stored for at least six months, but many housewives use herbs until the new harvest. Freezing is the easiest and most useful way to prepare any food.It is simple in that to freeze the greens you only need to wash and dry them, and it is useful because, when frozen quickly (-18-24 degrees), all useful substances and vitamins are retained in the products. There are several ways to freeze mint:
- put the washed and dried greens whole in a plastic bag and send to the freezer;
- chop the prepared greens, place in a plastic container, and then freeze;
- Tear off the leaves, place them in molds for freezing ice (2-3 leaves each), add water and freeze - in the future, such ice can be used to make drinks, add to the first courses.
Drying
Dried mint is used as a seasoning for meat, baked goods, desserts, and also as a medicine. If the herb is needed for treatment, then it is better to collect it in late July - early August, just before flowering, when the inflorescences have not yet blossomed.
Drying of mint is carried out as follows: the stems of the plants are cut, washed, and dried a little. Then they are collected in bunches, tied with a strong thread, and hung in a hot but dark room. To prevent the mint from getting dusty, you can wrap them with gauze in one layer.
When the grass is dry, the leaves must be separated from the stems, then chopped or grinded. Dried mint is stored in glass jars, or linen bags. Chopped mint is added to roasts, soups, meat. For making tea, it is better to leave dry leaves whole. For a tonic bath, you can use whole, dry stems without crushing them.
Video "Harvesting mint for the winter"
Demonstration video with recommendations for harvesting mint for the winter.