The aromatic plant is grown for food, medicinal purposes, for perfumes and as an ornamental crop. While in its flowering phase, mint emits a soothing scent that promotes relaxation. Planting one single root will provide you with a harvest for the next season sufficient for fresh consumption and storage for future use. Having figured out how to store mint, you will provide your family with a unique seasoning and tea leaves for the whole winter.
Features of mint storage
The storage conditions of mint determine the presence of healing characteristics and aroma in it.In order to harvest weed for a long time, it can be dried or frozen. Until recently, drying was considered the only way to preserve crops. However, when frozen, the plant retains the maximum amount of useful substances, the original taste and bright smell.
Preparation of raw materials
Cutting mint for harvesting begins at the end of June and continues until autumn:
- Harvest time is determined by the beginning of flowering;
- The best raw materials are plants from the second or third year;
- It is recommended to collect plants in the morning and evening hours, in the absence of dew, in warm, dry weather;
- It is necessary to cut off a third of the branch, because essential oils and other active substances are concentrated in the leaves, flowers, and tops of the stems.
Fresh growth will appear on the remaining stem before the end of the season..
How to store fresh mint
Fresh mint will keep well in the refrigerator for a week. To do this, the branches are wrapped in a moistened towel or placed in a container. If you want to place mint in a plastic bag, you need to make sure that no air enters the container.
Drying mint
Drying mint will not require much effort and time:
- it is easier to keep cut stems tied into bunches, which are hung in a shaded, ventilated room;
- It is suggested to experiment and add sprigs of other herbs to the collection, giving various shades to mint drinks;
- If cut plants are placed on pallets for drying, the layers should not be thick. The raw materials are mixed regularly.
Readiness is determined by the leaves - if they easily separate from the stem and crumble, it’s time to chop the mint and store it in paper bags and glass jars.
Freezing a plant
In order to have fragrant greens on the table all year round, you need to pay attention to winter frost. Today there are several freezing options. At the same time, the color of the leaves, fresh taste and beneficial characteristics are preserved. Whole leaves are used for brewing tea, decorating dishes, making desserts, and cocktails. The crushed preparation is suitable for sauces and baking.
Whole leaves
The cut greens are placed in cold water for five minutes, regardless of where they grow, washed under the tap and laid out in a thin layer on towels. It will take half an hour to get rid of excess moisture. Acceleration of the process is possible by mixing the raw materials.
Dried mint is sorted: large, healthy leaves and the upper part of the shoots are placed in small jars or plastic containers. It is incorrect to use plastic bags: the workpiece becomes too fragile. The filled container goes into the freezer.
Whole branches
Freezing stems with leaves is not prohibited. A thick bag is filled with portioned bunches of mint, carefully rolled into a tube and placed in the freezer. During the procedure, you need to monitor the safety of the leaves.
Finely chopped
Mint leaves are useful in winter in crushed or pureed form. This type of freezing can be conveniently done in special mini-molds or assorted sweets inserts. The leaves are torn off the washed branches and left for 10 minutes to dry. The prepared raw materials are finely chopped with a knife or crushed in a blender. The resulting puree is placed in molds and placed in the freezer. The frozen workpiece is poured into bags made of dense polyethylene and closed hermetically.
In ice cubes
To freeze mint leaves in ice cubes, you need to get silicone molds or a special container. Tender leaves and tops of stems in the amount of 4-6 pieces are laid out in the cells and filled with chilled boiled water. The blanks are placed in the freezer for several hours, removed from the molds and transferred to plastic bags. This method of freezing allows you to keep the leaves intact, which looks advantageous and elegant in various drinks.
Application of blanks:
- The leaves as a whole and the tops of the shoots are suitable as tea leaves, the basis of fragrant, cooling drinks, compotes, and cocktails. This preparation is useful as an additive to vegetable stews, stewed meat and poultry, salads, first courses, casseroles from cereals and cottage cheese, cheesecakes.
- The twigs are used as an ingredient in meat and vegetable rolls, steamed dishes or baked in foil.
- Ice cubes are excellent in refreshing drinks; such preparations are especially relevant for Mojito.
- Chopped mint serves as a flavoring agent for all kinds of sauces, baked goods, and fruit or vegetable salads.
It doesn’t matter in what form you store mint, this plant will bring benefits and leave a pleasant taste experience.
