Mint is a perennial which could be productive for up to 15 years. It is a creeping aromatic perennial that likes wet stains. Since mint is such a strong-growing plant, it can easily kill neighbouring plants so that it is better planted in a pot, by itself, put in the shade. Oil quality is best when mint is grown in places with hot days and cool nights. It is propagated easily by cuttings, division, or layering. Mint has its final harvest in the autumn, so this is the opportunity to decide on the leaves for drying or freezing for the winter. Mint is an herb that is been used for many different purposes for centuries. It is in fantastic demand for flavouring confectionery, chewing gum, cigarettes and toothpastes.
Industrial mint is cultivated for the flavourful oils produced in glands on the bottom of the plant’s leaves. Mint can be used in a variety of recipes, from sauces, to jellies; to hot and cold drink additions. Common mint is very good in salads, cool beverages, mixed with yogurt, in tabouli and over strawberries whereas the Vietnamese mint is wonderful in stir fries. Mint is used in various ways, but the most common is via the brewing of mint tea.
Apart from being endlessly versatile, mint is easy to grow, even for flat dwellers. While fresh mint is perfect for cooking, dried mint will retain a lot of its own oils and may be substituted for fresh. Many cooks prefer to add chopped mint leaves to scrambled eggs, and omelettes, for a change of pace, or to egg replacements to improve the flavour. Make certain to keep in mind that too much heat will turn the mint bitter.
Besides its popularity as a culinary herb, mint is popular for its use in cosmetics, as an insect repellent, and in potpourri. All mints contain the volatile oil menthol, which provides teucrium fruticans which feature cooling, cleansing atmosphere. Of all of the mints, peppermints have the most powerful flavour and offer great Versatility for people who love mint. This variety does have hint of pepper and is saturated in menthol; it is good in cooked dishes, jellies and mint sauces and leaves a stimulating tea.
Spearmints are sweeter and milder than peppermints and are great in salads or where a mild flavour is desired. The odor, sweet citrus taste and smallish leaves of apple mint make it great in confections, candy and punches. Orange mint is extremely perfumed with a strong citrus flavour like that of Earl Grey tea. It is great in brewed beverages and as a tea perfect for fruit preserves, buttes, desserts and fruit salads.
