The question of how to preserve mint for the winter at home is very relevant, since it is quite in demand. The plant has beneficial properties, original taste and pleasant aroma. It is widely used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology.
Mint is a healthy and aromatic plant with a refreshing taste, which is actively used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology.
There are several known ways to preserve herbs: freezing, drying and growing at home. Useful tips presented in the article will help you properly prepare and preserve mint for the winter.
How to properly store fresh mint
Like any other variety of greens, mint has a strictly limited shelf life. After cutting, the plant can remain fresh for several hours, then it begins to rapidly fade. Bunches of greenery are often too large, so they are not consumed at one time.
How to store fresh mint so that it remains usable for a long time:
- Place the sprigs in a small container with clean water. It is recommended to pre-clean the mint from the lower leaves and the edge of the stem. The container should be kept in a cool place and the liquid should be changed daily. Thus, it is possible to maintain the original properties of the product for 3–4 days.
- Place dry and clean leaves in a bag. The plastic bag must be tied in such a way that air does not leak out or in. Next, the workpiece is removed to a cold place where there is no sunlight or any other light sources. In this case, the taste and beneficial properties of the plant are preserved for another 2–3 days.
- Wrap the mint branches in a thick, damp cloth. This recommendation is effective when it is necessary to preserve the plant for a short period of time. It is important to ensure that the canvas remains slightly moistened. To do this, you can wrap it in regular cling film.
In addition to tips for storing mint, you need to know how to choose it correctly. Otherwise, you may experience rapid withering of the plant and a decrease in taste.
Experts advise buying or choosing fresh greens that have no spots on the leaves. When collecting independently, cutting is recommended to be done in the first half of the day in sunny weather. It is at this time that mint is saturated with essential oils.
How to preserve mint for the winter
During the cold season, you can make a delicious drink from mint. The perennial plant goes well with all types of tea, regardless of the country of origin. Adding leaves to tea can improve its aromatic properties, relax the body and improve mood.
The simplest method of preserving mint for the winter is drying. To do this, you must follow one of the options below:
- Cut a few bunches of the plant and hang them in a dark and dry place, preferably in the attic. Wait until the leaves are completely dry and grind them into crushed powder. Store the substance in glass containers or small bags made of thick fabric.
- Carefully spread the collected leaves in an even layer on dry paper or fabric. Wait until completely dry, then collect the dried bunches and store in any convenient container. The most important requirement is the absence of drafts, sudden temperature changes and direct sunlight.
- To simplify the drying process and save a significant amount of time, you can use specialized drying equipment. However, in this case it is necessary to adhere to certain temperature conditions in the range from 20 to 35 °C.
Overdried mint is quite easy to recognize by the shade of the leaves - the bunches become brown.
In this case, the plant completely loses its aromatic and beneficial properties for the body. When storing dried mint, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the room. In addition to direct sunlight and drafts, it is important to ensure that the room is not too damp or damp. It is recommended to store the plant away from odorous products.
For long-term storage, it is necessary to use the veranda of a private house or a cool corridor. In an apartment, mint is effectively stored on the balcony or pantry. It is not recommended to leave the plant for more than 1 year - it is better to prepare a new batch in the summer.
A little about the beneficial properties
It is no coincidence that this plant is so in demand - the whole world knows about the beneficial properties of mint.
Mint has been used since ancient times as one of the main medicinal plants. Almost any doctor recognizes its healing properties. At the same time, a large number of medicines are made from it.
Mint has a diuretic effect. Simple mint tea will remove excess fluid from the body. The harm from consuming large amounts of salt is also mitigated with the help of decoctions from this plant.
Safflower, loosestrife, asparagus, jujube, hops, lavender, and cornflower have a mild diuretic effect.
Did you know? Legend has it that mint got its name in honor of the Roman goddess of reason and common sense, Menta.
But the calming properties of mint have become widely known. A couple of leaves added to regular tea are enough to calm your nerves.
Many anti-inflammatory ointments are made from peppermint. Wild mint is effective for intestinal disorders and flatulence. It is also used against tuberculosis and rheumatism.
Check out the medicinal properties and contraindications of peppermint.
How to prepare mint
From August to July is the best time to harvest the plant. During this period, mint absorbs the greatest amount of essential oils and beneficial microelements. To obtain high-quality raw materials, the following features must be taken into account:
- plant age from 2 to 3 years;
- morning or evening collection time in the absence of dew;
- dry and not too hot weather.
The hard part of the mint is not used for subsequent storage, so the plant is always cut at 1/3 of the entire length of the main stem. Before sending the collected product to the refrigerator or for drying, it must be carefully sorted: damaged or dry leaves are removed, the bunches are thoroughly washed and dried.
Treated leaves or shoots of the plant can be wrapped in small paper towels. Next, the mint is carefully placed in glass containers or resealable bags. In this way, you can preserve the freshness and natural appearance of the plant for up to 3-4 weeks. Subsequently, mint begins to lose its elasticity, natural shade, moisture and beneficial elements.
Useful tips
Preparing mint for the winter should begin with its collection, and then begin processing.
The best raw materials for long-term storage can be obtained from two- and three-year-old plants. Collection is best done in the evenings or in the morning, when there is no dew on the plants. Also, the weather should be cool and dry. The best way to harvest mint is by cutting off about a third of the stem. The fact is that its hard part is not suitable for winter storage. Moreover, if left until the end of the season, it can produce fresh shoots.
When to collect mint for the winter? It is best to start harvesting it in mid-summer - July or August. In most Russian regions, mint begins to bloom by this time. This is easy to determine by the lilac-pale or pinkish inflorescences. By this period, a large amount of essential oil accumulates, which is concentrated in the tips of the shoots, flowers and foliage. There are also many other active substances there. This is why this culture is so valued.
Storing mint in the refrigerator
Contrary to popular belief, a regular refrigerator is great for high-quality and long-term storage of greens. All you need to do is carefully follow the recommendations and step-by-step instructions.
Before moving mint, it is important to check the cleanliness of the refrigerator. If it contains foreign odors or products that can increase the moisture level, the plant will not be able to retain its aromatic, visual and beneficial properties.
How to save for several days
There are many ways you can keep mint fresh in the refrigerator for a long time. The refrigerator is the best place to store fresh mint for a long time. Before placing the plant in refrigeration equipment, it is necessary to rinse it thoroughly with cold water and wrap it in a dry cloth for several minutes.
In order for the greens to be effectively preserved and not lose their unique properties in 5 days, they must be kept in a glass jar half filled with clean water - on the bottom shelf. To remove excess moisture, the top of the product should be covered with a plastic bag.
If you want to preserve the aromatic, taste and beneficial properties of greens for 7–10 days, the plant must be stored in food-grade plastic containers. Dried and clean shoots are best suited for this; the leaves do not break off. Next, the containers are neatly folded into the vegetable compartment.
Many experts recommend pre-drying the mint, which will significantly increase its shelf life. In this case, it will not deteriorate so quickly. Ground leaves of the plant are also suitable for the refrigerator.
Can it be stored in the freezer?
By freezing mint in the freezer, you can achieve maximum preservation of beneficial microelements and substances. This method is highly convenient and time-saving. Low temperature conditions make it possible to preserve the workpiece for 7–9 months.
The most effective and frequently used options for freezing plants:
- Arrange from 5 to 10 pcs. pre-prepared and processed mint branches in ordinary plastic bags, which are carefully placed in the freezer. After the leaves and stems are frozen (after about a day), you should move them into a common package to save space.
- Finely chop the mint leaves and main stem using a kitchen knife or any other convenient tool. Place the resulting slices in a plastic food container and place in the freezer.
Carefully and beautifully trim the upper parts of the leaves of the plant. Then pour clean boiled water into an ice tray and add mint there. Place the container in the refrigerator for a day, then move the form to the freezer.
The latter freezing method is widely popular due to its convenience and simple technique. Mint ice cubes are great for making a non-alcoholic or alcoholic mojito drink. You can add small pieces of lemon or orange zest to the preparation.
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Freezing a plant
You can prepare mint for the winter using the freezer. When frozen, mint, as when dried, retains all its qualities for 7-8 months.
Whole leaves
Well-prepared greens are placed in a plastic bag with a sealed clasp.
If it is desirable to freeze only the leaves, they must first be removed from the stem by hand.
An important requirement: there should be no moisture on the leaves, and air should be removed from the bag using a cocktail straw.
Whole branches
Freezing leaves and stems is suitable for decorating holiday dishes. This mint is also used to prepare infusions and decoctions used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes.
The branches of the plant are placed in a plastic bag, from which the air is removed. Then the bag is tightly rolled into a tight tube and sent to the freezer.
Finely chopped
Convenient packaging of products is more suitable for preparing first courses.
The greens are pre-chopped with a knife or in a blender, placed in small containers and frozen.
The disadvantage of this method is that it is difficult to separate the required amount of product.
Rules for storing mint at home
The duration of storage of any food product mainly depends on how correctly and carefully certain conditions are observed. In this case, mint is no exception to the rule.
Basic recommendations for proper storage of mint so that its aroma lasts for a long time:
- cardboard boxes or thick fabric for dry bundles;
- containers made of durable glass with tight-fitting lids for crushed plants or leaves;
- the presence of a cool and dark place with a temperature of about +6⁰С for workpieces;
- no raw materials, light, moisture or strong smelling products.
It is recommended to indicate the start date of storage on the container used, which will avoid complications or difficulties in the future. The container should be checked for moisture from time to time. If this is not done, the product being stored may deteriorate.
Preparation of raw materials
Collected plants need careful preparation before storing them in any way you like. The algorithm for preparing raw materials is almost the same for all recipes.
See also
Description and cultivation of spearmint, planting and care rules
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To get a good result you need:
- sort through the stems and leaves, removing dry fragments, weeds, random debris and insects;
- rinse the plants under running water and drain in a colander;
- spread on a towel and wait until excess moisture is removed;
If only the leaves are to be stored, they must be removed from the stems. It is better to do this with your hands, without using metal objects - pruners, scissors, knife. This will prevent the possibility of an oxidative process that provokes early spoilage of products.
