Harvesting and drying peppermint – simply preserving mint

Peppermint is undoubtedly one of the best-known and most popular medicinal and useful herbs. The versatile and medicinal plants can easily cope with the winters in our latitudes. Little effort is required to cultivate the familiar plants. Whether in the bucket on the windowsill or directly in the open air only plays a subordinate role. The impressive growth of the plant shows whether all requirements and needs are met by Mentha piperita. For this reason, in many cases it makes sense to contain the spread of the shoots. This can be done, for example, by delimiting the bed area or by regular pruning or harvesting. The right location and care conditions also have a direct effect on the taste and quality of the harvest. For example, mint requires a lot of sunlight to develop the essential ingredients. The following measures have proven effective in cultivation:

• The medicinal herb needs a sunny to partially shaded location .
• The mint needs a moist substrate.
• Water regularly, the roots should not dry out.
• The substrate must be rich in humus and well drained.
• Approximately every 3 to 4 years the plant to a new location to relocate .
• In winter, compost or brushwood warms the soil around the mints.

Mentha piperita is versatile and not only unfolds its effect in the form of cold and relaxation teas. Peppermint has a soothing and stimulating effect on the stomach. With sugar or honey added, a refreshing, cooling drink can be prepared for young and old in summer. The ethereal taste of the leaves unfolds as a spice in sauces and salads. And coated with chocolate, it delights the palate in a special way.

Tip : Mentha piperita drives away pests such as fleas and ants in the garden.

The optimal time to harvest

The leaves of the perennial herbaceous plant can be harvested as required during the main growing season. Approximately mid-May , the versatile spice and herbs of tea shows its fast-side. Now is the ideal time to keep the plant in check with regular pruning. Those who appreciate the taste of aromatic mint tea should harvest large, older leaves. The menthol content in these foliage is very high. Peppermint can be harvested between May and the end of September as needed and at will. For example, collect the leaves for your breakfast tea while taking a morning walk through your garden. Add a handful of fresh tea leaves to your weekly relaxation bath and let yourself be enveloped in the aromatic vapors of the herb. If you just want to make the mint easy to keep, you should consider the following tips:

• The main harvest takes place in May before flowering .
• The ideal time is lunchtime .
• The shoots are cut up to 5 to 8 cm above the ground .
• Use sharpened scissors to prevent damage to the plant.
• Only cut healthy leaves.

As with many crops, between morning and noon is the ideal opportunity to harvest peppermint leaves. Only after the hot midday hours are the plants weakened by the warmth and direct sunlight. The intense taste of the leaves slowly dissipates. To avoid condensation, you should during the harvest, the cut plant parts in a cloth bag or a wicker basket store .

Tip : Complete shoots can be cut to dry the peppermint.

Weather also plays an important role in the main peppermint harvest. The plant must be completely dried from condensation and rainwater. This makes it easier to preserve the aromatic leaves and prevents the formation of mold. After a heavy rain shower, wait a few days before starting harvest. An important note for caring for the plants: do not pour over the leaves of the plants.This unnecessarily damages the peppermint and can lead to irreparable damage to the versatile tea plant. If the summer was sunny and warm, you can have a second large harvest from early to mid-September. The radical pruning around this does not damage the peppermint. Let the shoots stand at a height of about 6 cm so that the plant can collect enough reserves for the cold season.

Dry peppermint properly

You can preserve your peppermint harvest in two different ways: by freezing and drying . Both variants have advantages and disadvantages, some preparation is necessary beforehand. Spice and tea plants are not washed after harvest. This also applies to Mentha piperita. Many of the aromatic ingredients are water-soluble and “disappear” after extensive cleaning with water. There are other ways to get rid of contaminants on the peppermint:

• Do not cut leaves near the ground.
• Dispose of heavily damaged and contaminated plant parts in the compost.
• Do not use leaves that are infested with pests.
• Remove coarse dirt with a soft brush.

It will take some time to dry the peppermint. Tie entire shoots together in small bunches and hang them up freely in a warm, airy room . Individual leaves and parts of plants that are too small to be tied together can be dried on grids or newspapers. Place the peppermint pieces on the surface so that the individual leaves and shoots cannot touch each other. Turn every 2 to 3 days. The environment should meet the following requirements when drying the peppermint:

• Avoid direct sunlight.
• No high humidity.
• Temperatures between 20 ° – 25 ° C are ideal.

Check the parts of the plant regularly for mold or rot and discard these pieces immediately. After about 2 to 3 weeks, the harvested peppermint is completely dry. If you don’t have the time or space for this procedure, you can oven dry the leaves and shoots .

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Generously distribute the individual leaves and shoots.
• Preheat the oven to 60 ° C.
• Clamp a wooden spoon in the oven door.
• Slide the baking sheet into the top third of the oven.
• Turn the peppermint every hour.

At a constant temperature of 60 ° C , your peppermint harvest will be completely dry after about 6 hours . The oven door must be a few centimeters open during the entire process so that the steam can escape more quickly. Whether you use convection or top and bottom heat plays a subordinate role when drying the leaves. Only constant and low temperatures are important. This ensures that the mint is preserved.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the drying process is complete. But you can test the moisture content of your harvest yourself: As soon as the shoots have lost their flexibility and the leaves crumble between your fingers, the mint is dry. They should be stored in airtight containers . The aromatic substances in peppermint can evaporate under the influence of light and air.

Tip : When dry, you can easily separate the leaves from the shoots. The latter are unsuitable for further use as tea or spice.

Practical and clever

You will retain intensely aromatic leaves after harvesting if you freeze them immediately. It is worthwhile to freeze the peppermint in portions during this process. For this purpose, separate the leaves from the branches. Fill freezer cans or sealable bags with small amounts of peppermint and place them in the freezer. The leaves retain their full, intense aroma and can be taken in individual portions for the preparation of tea or sauces. If the space in your freezer allows it, you can simplify the process: Place all the freshly harvested leaves of the mint on a small tray and place it completely in the freezer. After about 2 to 3 hours, you can cut up the frozen leaves and freeze them individually. You keep track of things

Conclusion

The aromatic taste of peppermint and the medicinal properties for a multitude of ailments make the plant indispensable in everyday life. Harvesting and drying are simple steps. If you do this with care, you can preserve the intense aroma of the leaves and avoid mold and rot during drying and storage.