How to store mint at home fresh and in the refrigerator

Mint is an herb that can be smelled with your eyes closed. It contains a large amount of menthol and essential oils. And its taste creates a feeling of coolness and freshness in the mouth. It is widely used in the production of drinks and confectionery. The aroma of mint can be found in toothpastes and eau de parfum. In medicine, mint is used to make cardiovascular drugs. Cigarette manufacturers have long used it as a flavoring agent for tobacco. This herb has a very wide range of uses. Therefore, many are interested in the question of how to store mint so that it does not lose its unique properties until the next season. Today we will look at the most affordable options for storing mint.

How to store fresh mint

Mint leaves become suitable for harvesting in late June and early July. By this time they already have all the beneficial properties. And the concentration of essential oils in them is such that the plants develop a lasting aroma. Then the flowering period begins, and mint gives up some of its nutrients to the formation of inflorescences. Therefore, it is better to collect aromatic herbs for storage during this period.

It should be remembered that freshly picked mint will wither within the next two hours. Therefore, you must immediately send it to a cool place. There it will remain fresh for several days.

There are different ways to keep mint fresh in the refrigerator:

The leaves of the plant are placed in a food container, which is covered with a damp towel on top. In this form, the leaves are stored in the refrigerator. If you periodically throw away leaves that have begun to deteriorate, the mint will remain fresh for up to 4 days.
The grass is washed, dried, the stems are wrapped in a wet cloth and placed in a separate place in the refrigerator. This way the mint will not wither within 5-6 days.
The leaves are torn from the stems and packed in a plastic bag, from which air is removed as much as possible. In this case, they will remain fresh for one week.

If you plan to use the mint within the next 3 hours, simply cover it with a wet cloth and leave it at room temperature.

You can cut the stems at an angle and place them in a container of water. This is the easiest way to store mint at home. With this storage method, the plant will remain fresh for up to 4 days.

But if you need the aromatic herb to be suitable for use for a long time, then it is better to store mint frozen or dried.

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.

How to properly freeze mint

First, the leaves and stems are washed and dried well. After drying, it is best to separate the leaves from the stems. Next, put them into bags in small portions and place them in the freezer. You can put frozen leaves in a polycarbonate mold, which is then put back into the freezer. Mint can be stored in this form for 8 months. It should be defrosted in cool water and only the part that will be used immediately. When frozen again, the grass will lose most of its quality.

For those who like various mint-based drinks, it is better to freeze it in a food container, after cutting the leaves and twigs into strips. They should not be covered with a lid or compacted. In this state, mint will be convenient to add to various drinks.

Here's another way to store mint in the freezer

The leaves are placed in plastic cells intended for ice (a small amount in each of them).
The form with the leaves is filled with cooled boiled water, and then transferred to the freezer.
After a day, the ice cubes are removed from the mold, put into food bags and put back in the freezer.

Another option for storing frozen grass can be successfully used by any housewife.

First, the branches along with the leaves are washed under strong pressure of running water.
Then lightly dry.
Afterwards, the leaves are torn off (40 - 50 g) and placed in a blender.
Next, approximately two glasses of water are poured there and the leaves are crushed in it until a homogeneous aromatic mass is formed. This is done so that there are no stems or whole leaves left.
The resulting slurry is poured into special bags designed for storing ice and tied at the top.
When crushed with water, the aromatic plant freezes quickly and can be stored for a very long time. Depending on the temperature, you can store mint in the refrigerator in this form for a year.

If the temperature in the freezer is below -10°C, such a product can be kept in it without loss of quality for up to 6 months. At temperatures down to -20°C, the shelf life will double.

In the summer heat, a glass of water in which a ball of frozen mint melts is a real salvation. Therefore, it is not at all necessary to leave such preparations for the winter.

The plant prepared in this way is used not only for drinks. It can be used as a cosmetic product. Ice cubes with mint perfectly moisturize and tone the skin, creating a feeling of freshness and coolness.

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.

How to dry and store mint

It has been known since ancient times that if you remove water from a plant, it can retain its properties for a long time. So, for example, dried gooseberries can be stored for about 9-12 months. Of course, the aroma and beneficial substances disappear over time. Therefore, it is recommended to make fresh preparations every year.

How to dry

To ensure that mint contains the maximum amount of essential oils, it is collected before flowering. This time falls on June-July.

After the branches have already been collected, they are washed and dried a little, and then tied into small bundles.
The bunches are hung in a place where there is good air ventilation.
The bundles should be rotated occasionally.
A prerequisite is the absence of direct sunlight.
Keep the grass this way until it dries completely.
The optimal temperature for drying is from +20°C with minimal air humidity.
After about two weeks, the mint will be ready for subsequent storage.

Dried mint is crushed and placed in containers with closing lids or in fabric bags made of natural linen. In this form, this herb can be stored on a kitchen cabinet shelf or in a pantry until next year. It is important that there are no heating devices nearby. Also, you should not keep it in rooms with high humidity.

Dried mint is used as a spice in the preparation of first courses, as well as fried and stewed meat. Dried, it can be stored for a whole year without loss of quality. But even if the shelf life has expired, it can still be used. This herb can be used for relaxing aromatic baths.

When drying, do not use an oven. If this herb is dried in the oven, it will lose its aroma and most of the essential oils, which evaporate when exposed to elevated temperatures.

Basic conditions

There are many ways to store mint, but a number of conditions must be met. It is worth ensuring the following:

Dust and dirt on the leaves are unacceptable. Before storing, rinse and clean the plant under cold running water.
No contact with sunlight. Direct exposure to sunlight negatively affects raw materials, as beneficial properties and freshness are lost.
Sufficient humidity in the room or container where the mint is stored. Fresh mint requires as much water as possible, but for dry mint, excess air moisture provokes the process of rotting and spoilage of the product.
Storage temperature should be below room temperature, which increases the “life span” of fresh mint.
Keep away from seasonings, spices and foods that absorb odors. The strong aroma of mint can spoil other foods and vice versa.

Conditions also depend on the chosen storage method. For dried and frozen mint, they are radically different. In the first case, you need room temperature, in the second, cool conditions. The storage tanks used also differ.

How to grow mint yourself

If you want to always have fresh mint on hand, you can grow it yourself in your garden or on your balcony. To do this, place the twig in a glass of water, and after a few days it will sprout roots. Then the plant is transplanted into the ground or into a pot with soil and watered. This plant is unpretentious, and the more often you remove leaves from it, the faster new ones grow.

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.

Some tips for storing mint

It happens that grass needs to be harvested in large quantities. Then it is better to use several storage options in order to make maximum use of the useful space of the refrigerator.
Regardless of whether mint is collected with your own hands or purchased, it must be processed and stored for storage within the next 2 to 3 days.
Before use, mint leaves are slightly kneaded so that they release more aromatic substances.
Herbs such as parsley, sorrel, etc. stored using similar methods.

If the mint becomes slippery and turns brown, it should be thrown away immediately.

Requirements for leaves

Only externally healthy plants can be stored. If mint leaves are damaged, white or faded, it is better to get rid of them immediately. They will not bring any benefit and can ruin the workpiece.
The color of the leaves is uniform and rich, and when rubbed, the smell intensifies several times.
Mint harvested during the harvest season is best suited for long-term storage. The period occurs at the end of July and beginning of August, when the plant contains a large amount of essential oil and emits a strong aroma.

Put it in the refrigerator

Once you've wrapped all the mint in damp paper towels, place them in a Zip Loc bag or airtight plastic container and place them in the refrigerator.

Now, whenever you need to add a few fresh mint leaves to your appetizer, smoothie, or dessert, you can unroll the paper and grab the amount you need.

If you don't have a suitable container to store the mint, you can wrap it in an extra layer of dry paper towels and place it in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.

Prepare the stems

Cut off the bottom of the stems. Use scissors to carefully trim the ends of the branches. This procedure will allow the mint to absorb water better and last longer. But be careful not to trim the branches too much, otherwise they will not stand as comfortably in a vase or storage container.

Cut the stems not straight, but at a slight angle - this will increase the access of moisture.

Prepare towels

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Wet paper towels with water. To do this, unwind more and fold them in 2-3 layers to form a tighter wrapper. Run the towels under cold running water and then be sure to squeeze out any excess moisture. They should be completely damp, but not too wet.

Thick, reusable towels are best suited for this procedure - they absorb moisture better and do not tear.

Remember that too much moisture can cause the grass to rot quickly. Therefore, it is important that the paper towels are not too wet.