Fresh herbs are a real enrichment for the garden in summer. They give dishes a very special aroma and can also protect against annoying insects. One of the most popular summer herbs is mint, whose leaves are the perfect addition to summer drinks and desserts. If you grow the plant yourself, you can increase yields with the right technique. We'll tell you how to harvest mint correctly in the article!
Frequent harvesting is key to keeping mint in top shape. Young leaves taste better than old ones and can be harvested as soon as the plant emerges in spring.
Because mint is a fast-growing plant, it can be harvested in small quantities throughout the season - from spring to autumn. However, if you want to harvest larger quantities, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Summer is considered the best time for harvesting. Before flowering in June or July, the proportion of essential oils in the leaves is highest and their aroma is most intense. If you want to harvest and store mint, you should plan a generous cut in July.
The time of day also plays a role when harvesting mint. The essential oils that give the herb its flavor are most concentrated in the morning, so it's best to harvest mint leaves earlier in the day. The best time to plant mint in the garden is mid-morning, a few hours after the morning dew when the plant is dry.
Harvesting mint correctly – it’s all about the technique
Whether you grow mint in your garden, or aCopy from the supermarketin the kitchen, with the right harvest cut, you can harvest fresh mint all summer long.
In summer we often only need a few mint leaves to mix a refreshing drink or refine a dessert. In this case, we simply pluck off a few leaves and leave the plant alone. But this approach can result in the plant no longer producing leaves and dying prematurely. Instead of picking the leaves by hand, use scissors.
Here's how:
- Disinfect sharp scissors or a sharp knife. This step ensures that the plant is not affected by diseases.
- Select a young stem and cut it back by half. Always cut off above a pair of leaves so that the shoot can form new leaves.
- Do not cut back the entire plant, but allow part of it to flower. Peppermint flowers are popular with pollinators and can also be used in cooking and to decorate food and drinks.
How often to harvest garden mint
Although you can harvest fresh mint leaves at any time, the optimal time to harvest is when the plant has reached a height of four centimeters and just before it begins to bloom (around the middle of the growing season). Keeping mint potted allows you to continually prune your plant to keep the growing season lasting all year long.
Additionally, harvesting mint frequently can help keep it from spreading throughout your garden and instead focus on regrowing - a good way to keep the fast-growing plants in check.
What can you use fresh mint from the garden or pot for?
Minztee:Simply bring a pot of water to a boil and add some washed mint leaves – whole or chopped – to a cup or teapot. Add the hot water and let the tea steep for four to five minutes. Strain the mint leaves and add honey or other sweeteners if desired.
Mojito-Cocktail: This classic cocktailis prepared with mixed mint, sugar, rum, soda water, lime juice and fresh lime. Garnish the cocktail with lime slices and additional mint leaves.
Fruit salad:Garnish fruit salads with chopped mint leaves to add extra flavor.
Mint Pesto:You can prepare a Mediterranean version of Italian pesto with walnuts, fresh mint, lemon juice, olive oil, feta, salt and black pepper.
Mint ice cream:If you need something to cool you down on the hot summer days, you can also make your own refreshing mint ice cream – a fewYou can find recipes here.
Store mint leaves properly
You've harvested your plant and are now wondering where to put all the mint. There are a few ways to store the aromatic leaves both short and long term.
Store in the refrigerator:For best results, store freshly harvested mint in the refrigerator. Wrap the mint sprigs in a damp paper towel and place them in an unsealed plastic bag or aluminum foil in the refrigerator. If stored correctly, mint will last between three and fourteen days.
Drying with a dehydrator:Set your dehydrator to 40 degrees Celsius and dry the light green leaves for about an hour. Dried mint leaves will last for several months if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Freezing in the freezer:Chop the mint leaves into small pieces and place some of the chopped mint (about a teaspoon) in each compartment of an ice cube tray. Fill the container with water and freeze it. Use mint ice cubes to cool and flavor teas and soups, or thaw and strain to use the fresh mint for general use. Freeze mint to enjoy your harvest for several months.
