About Mint
Mint is one of the world's oldest and most widely grown herbs, loved for its refreshing fragrance and remarkable vigour. There are many different varieties, each with its own distinctive flavour and aroma, from the deep coolness of peppermint to the soft sweetness of apple mint.
At The Herbal Garden several varieties are grown, including Peppermint, Apple Mint, Chocolate Mint and one particularly strong unnamed mint affectionately known as "Mouthwash Mint" because of its exceptionally fresh flavour. Each earns its place for a different reason, and together they make the mint beds one of the most quietly rewarding corners of the garden.
Mint has been valued since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, who associated it with hospitality and used it to scent homes and banquet tables. That same welcoming fragrance still lingers wherever mint is allowed to grow, tying the modern herb garden to a tradition thousands of years old.
Uses & Benefits
Culinary
Mint is one of the most versatile culinary herbs, finding its way into herbal teas, summer drinks, fruit dishes, salads, potatoes, peas, lamb, sauces and desserts with equal ease.
The different varieties each bring their own character. Peppermint is the favourite for refreshing teas, Apple Mint offers a softer, sweeter flavour, Chocolate Mint is lovely in desserts and hot drinks, and the strong unnamed mint is ideal wherever an intensely fresh mint flavour is wanted.
Medicinal
Mint has long been valued as one of the classic digestive herbs. Traditionally it has been taken after meals to ease occasional indigestion, bloating and wind, while its refreshing aroma has also made it popular for helping clear the head and soothe minor colds.
Peppermint in particular has been highly valued in traditional herbal medicine for digestive comfort. These are time-honoured uses drawn from long herbal tradition rather than any modern medical claim.
Growing & Harvesting
Growing
Mint is an enthusiastic grower that prefers fertile, moisture-retentive soil and sun or partial shade. Given those conditions it will reward you with an abundance of fresh leaves all season long.
The different mints are grown where they can be kept under control, as they spread readily if left unchecked. Regular harvesting encourages fresh leafy growth throughout the season and keeps the plants tidy and productive.
Harvesting
Leafy stems are picked regularly from spring until autumn, ideally before flowering for the best flavour.
The leafy stems are dried whole on racks in a warm, airy place. Once completely dry, the leaves are carefully stripped from the stems to avoid bruising and preserve as much flavour and aroma as possible. They are then transferred to paper bags for a short time before being stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark cupboard.
Cautions
Mint is considered a very safe culinary herb. Very large amounts of peppermint are traditionally avoided by people with severe acid reflux, as it may aggravate symptoms in some individuals.