6 Reasons to be Glad You Grow Mint
The Easiest, Most Flavorful, Best Smelling Plant in Your Garden
Jul 13, 2007
“It is the destiny of mint to be crushed.” -- Waverly Lewis Root
That mint plant in your backyard is calling out to be crushed.
Whether in a silver julep cup, a teacup, or in your hands, those beautiful green leaves need only a little pressure to release a burst of scent and flavor.
There are some 30 species of mint, the most popular being peppermint and spearmint. Mint grows big and fast, so plant it in a large open area. In the fall, prune your mint plant back and cover with some mulch.
Here are 6 reasons you’ll be glad you grow mint.
1. Mint Juleps
A staple of a Kentucky Derby party and an essential for Southern hospitality, mint juleps are the ultimate front-porch cocktail.
Mint Juleps
- 4 handfuls mint leaves
- 1 1/3 cup sugar
- 4 cups water
- 8 ounces bourbon
- Crushed ice
Working in batches, bruise the mint leaves in a bowl, slightly crushing leaves with a mortar/pestle or the rounded handle of a rolling pin. Combine mint, sugar and water in a saucepan. Boil for 5 minutes. Strain. Fill 4 silver julep cups with crushed ice. Add 2 ounces bourbon to each cup. Pour equal amounts of syrup into each cup. Stir rapidly until outside of cup gets frosty. Rub fresh mint around the rim of the cup.
2. Mint Tea
In tea, mint can stand alone or be added to chamomile, lemon verbena or other herbs.
To make mint tea, heat water to an almost boil and pour over mint leaves. Place in a glass container and let sit, covered, for 3-5 minutes. Strain liquid through a strainer.
3. Food
Mint is used regularly in Moroccan and Mideastern dishes and goes well with meats, poultry, rice and vegetables.
Chop fresh mint leaves and add it to couscous with chopped red pepper and purple onion. Sprinkle fresh mint onto buttered carrots or in cucumber salad.
Minted Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken thighs and breasts
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup honey
Place chicken in a 9x13 glass baking dish. Combine garlic and mint and spread mixture under skin of chicken. In a small saucepan, heat butter, lemon juice and honey. Brush onto chicken. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 1 hour.
4. Garnish
Mint is a versatile garnish for sweet and savory dishes. Place a mint sprig in a bowl of ice cream or with any dessert, and in salads, fruit and other dishes.
Brush melted chocolate onto the back of mint leaves for the perfect dessert garnish.
For mint ice cubes, place a mint leaf in each section of an ice cube tray, fill with water and freeze.
5. The smell alone
Grab a mint sprig while doing lawn work and rub it on your hands. The fresh scent will make you forget you’re sore and sweating. Place mint sprigs in bud vases in clothes closets. Put mint in your bathtub for a relaxing herbal bath.
6. Health benefits
Essential oils of mint are used in medicines for asthma, allergies, stomach ailments and to treat some cancers. But you can pop a mint leaf in your mouth to get health benefits of this plant.
Mint settles an upset stomach and can ward off flare-ups of irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion.
Eating peppermint gives you vitamin C and vitamin A, and also provides dietary fiber, iron and magnesium.
A cup of mint tea can be soothing, stress-relieving and calm the nerves.
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