Mint

Mentha

There are twenty-five different species of mint and many more varietals. Some of the most popular are:

  • peppermint (Mentha piperita oficinalis)
  • spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Both peppermint and spearmint have smooth, green teardrop-shaped leaves with jagged edges. And while they taste slightly differently, they both have that fresh, crisp flavor which has made mint so popular in breath fresheners, cocktails, and desserts.

There’s more to mint than peppermint tea! Mint is a wonderful addition to all kinds of recipes. Refreshing in homemade mint ice cream or a fresh fruit salad, mint can also be used in more savory contexts. Chopped fresh mint can be tossed with roasted or grilled vegetables for a simple side dish, and mint makes a wonderful and easy garnish for curries and other spicy dishes. If you want to try something a bit more challenging, attempt a “raita” or mint chutney; simply blend mint, yogurt, garlic, salt, and chiles for a delicious accompaniment to South Asian dishes like butter chicken or curried eggplant. And don’t forget, fresh mint is essential to any good mojito!

Mint teas have long been believed to be both relaxing and healthy. Hot mint tea can soothe a sore throat, but there’s nothing more relaxing than iced mint tea on a summer’s day. Try mixing up a batch by steeping mint leaves in boiling water and then adding honey to taste. Once this brew cools, mix with fresh chopped mint leaves, lots of ice, and a spurt of lemon or lime juice.

Mint is one of the few herbs that does well in shade, so it’s perfect for that empty spot of ground right next to the house. Mint can be grown easily from cuttings or root divisions, but it takes a long time for mint seeds to germinate. To grow from cuttings, simply stick small leaf stems directly into the ground. Keep mint moist and well fertilized.

Mint is a hardy plant, but it is prone to a fungus known as “mint rust” that causes reddish-orange spots to form on the leaves. Mint rust is unsightly but usually won’t kill the plant. If your mint has contracted mint rust, it should be uprooted and burned so that the fungus doesn’t spread to the lovely leaves of nearby mint plants.

Some really exciting species and varietals of mint are available at farmers’ markets these days. Check and see if yours has any of the following:

Apple mint (Mentha rotundifolia)
with soft, fuzzy leaves, it’s not the best choice for cooking, but it does smell like a mini-apple orchard.
Basil mint (Mentha spicata subsp.)
okay, so maybe it doesn’t taste exactly like basil and mint, but it does have a special, spicy quality to it.
Chocolate mint (Mentha piperita subsp)
with a pretty brownish-green leaf, this varietal really does look and taste like chocolate and mint.
Lemon mint (Mentha citrata)
has a fresh lemon odor when crushed and can be used to make a tea similar to the one made with lemon verbena.
Pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens)
with white edging around its leaves, this mint is beautiful with a hint of tropical pineapple offsetting its minty fresh taste.

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Brown Sugar Basil Julep

This variation on the Mint Julep uses Basil in place of mint and brown sugar in place of white. This sweet and refreshing cocktail shows of the anise-like elements of fresh Basil. Besides being a classy looking garnish, a fresh strip of orange peel adds a nice citrusy bouquet to every swig.

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Herb Marinated Artichoke Hearts

This light recipe for artichoke hearts marinated in extra-virgin olive oil, fresh dill, fresh mint, and fresh thyme is a refreshing side dish alongside dinner-time mainstays like fish, chicken, or steak. With a splash of spice from jalapeno and the sharp bite of red onion, it also works nicely as a bruschetta topping paired with good grilled bread spread with ricotta or goat cheese.

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Minty Chicken Salad

Pack a little extra flavor into your weeknight salads with fresh mint! This creamy dressing combines the zing of fresh garlic, lemon juice, and spicy chile with the coolness of mint and yogurt. Toss it with roasted chicken from the super market, pre-washed and packaged salad greens, and your favorite seasonal veggies for a quick, healthy, and delicious weeknight meal.

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Fresh-Squeezed Blackberry Mint Lemonade

If it’s summer refreshment you crave, try this blackberry and fresh mint infused lemonade! A minty twist on a classic favorite, with the sweetness of plump summer blackberries combining with fresh-squeezed lemon juice for a perfect balance of sweet and tart. This simple, thirst-quenching recipe has only all-natural ingredients, making it an excellent beverage choice for the entire family!

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Uncle Jeremy’s Favorite Quinoa Salad
With Garden Veggies and Fresh Mint

Quinoa salad is an easy and nutritious thing to keep on hand during the summer months. It’s full of healthy proteins; it shows off summer vegetables nicely; and it keeps for up to five days in the fridge. Serve it alongside burgers and brats, as an easy lunch, or as a quick and simple dinner. Uncle Jeremy would be proud.

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  • Quicktips for mint:

    • Combine mint in chocolate in desserts such as mint-chocolate chip ice cream, flourless chocolate cake with mint-infused custard sauce
    • Freeze whole leaves in ice cube trays.  Reserve for specialty cocktails or iced teas.
    • Add an entire package of chopped leaves to a boxed Brownie mix; bake.
    • A fresh bunch of mint fanned out on a serving plate makes an impressive bed for savory or sweet treats.
    • Make spectacular, easy parfaits: layer chunks of pound cake with freshly whipped cream, berries and mint leaves.
    • Chocolate Mint Truffles: crush a 1 lb bag of chocolate  wafer cookies & 1 pkg mint leaves; add 1 8oz-cream cheese and blend well. Roll, chill, dip in melted chocolate.