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Mint Origins Uses Recipes
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Ingredient of the
Month
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October
2005 |
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 Mint
belongs to the Labiatae family Genus Mentha . Although there are hundreds of
varieties of mint, M. spicata (spearmint) also known as garden or common mint is
the most associated with using fresh or dried in cooking. It has an aromatic and
fresh bouquet and is widely used in many European based and north African
cuisines. Other types sometimes used for culinary purposes include Peppermint M.
piperita, Pennyroyal M. pulegium, Orange Mint M. piperita citrata, Applemint M.
sauveolens and Chocolate Mint M. x piperita 'Chocolate'
Origin and History
Most mints are native to Europe and Asia,
although there are some which are indigenous to the America’s and Australia.
Many think that the colonists introduced mint to the USA however there is
evidence that Native American Indians were using a form of mint well before
their arrival.
Mint has been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes for thousands of
years and is even mentioned in the Bible. The name Mentha is derived from the
Greek nymph Minthe. Greek legend tells how Hades (also known as Pluto) who was
God of the underworld, took a shine to Minthe who soon became the unfortunate
object of his wife’s anger. The jealous Persephone attacked Minthe turned her
into a lowly plant and was in the process of trampling her to death when the
broken hearted Hades took pity on her turned her into an aromatic herb so that
when she was trodden upon, her sweet aroma would fill the air.
This theme runs through many civilizations: Peppermint oil has been distilled by
the Japanese for centuries, ancient Hebrews scattered the floors of their
synagogues with Mint and Ancient Romans are said to have rubbed their tables
with the leaves before their guests arrived. It is also generally believed that
the Romans are responsible for the creation of mint sauce.
Medicinally, the various mints have been used worldwide for centuries as a cure
or relief for numerous ailments from flatulence and digestive complaints to
fevers.
Cultivation and Processing
The mint plant is a perennial i.e. they keep
coming back every year. Because mints hybridize both in the wild and under
cultivation, it’s best to buy plants or seed from a reputable source.
Propagation can also be achieved by division or by cuttings taken in the spring.
Generally they like semi-shaded positions and moist though not waterlogged soil.
Peppermint and Spearmint can grow to up to 60cm/24 inches high but more usually
30cm/12 inches. Be warned that they are very invasive plants and spread like
wildfire by means of underground stems so it is always wise to grow them within
a container which can be buried in the earth.
For detailed growing instructions, visit our Growing Herbs and Vegetables
section.
Many recipes, in particular desserts and baked goods, call for Mint extract
or oil. These are clear liquids which is made from fresh peppermint or
spearmint leaves. Commercially, they are obtained via a steam distillation
process where first the oil is extracted from the leaves and then it’s further
processed by dissolving in an alcohol base to create the extract.
Dried mint is ….well what it says – fresh mint leaves which have been
dried, although there are two types; Freeze-dried and air-dried and their use
differs slightly. You can read more about that below in the “Mint in cooking”
section. Commercially freeze dried mint is first flash frozen then placed in a
vacuum chamber where 98% of the moisture is removed by evaporation. It is then
sealed in oxygen and moisture proof packaging. Dried herbs can be naturally sun
dried or processed through dehydrators.
Buying and Storing
As mentioned above, Mint is available fresh, dried, as an extract
and in the form of an oil. Most forms can usually be found in supermarkets
When buying fresh mint, choose leaves that are rigid and evenly coloured
with no sign of wilting. Place the mint, stems down, in a small container of
water, place a plastic bag over the leaves and refrigerate for up to a week,
changing the water every couple of days.
Store dried mint in airtight containers in a cool dark place. If you want
to dry your home-grown mint, you can do so either by air-drying or oven drying
but you should be aware that the high moisture content in the leaves makes them
prime candidates for mould. When air drying, only hand small bunches,
upside-down in a dark airy place for about 2 weeks. To oven dry – place
individual leaves in a single layer on a baking tray sandwiched between kitchen
paper then and place in a very cool oven overnight. When fully dried they should
be very crisp and crumbly.
You can also freeze mint at home. Wash and dry individual leaves, place
in a single layer on a tray, cover with clingfilm and freeze until solid.
Transfer to small plastic bags or containers and return to the freezer where
they’ll keep for several months.
Mint
in Cooking
Peppermint is has a much stronger flavour than spearmint in all
its forms, so if you are planning on using it as a substitute in a recipe you
should bear this in mind. Both have a remarkable fresh taste are highly
aromatic, especially when cut or crushed. Spearmint (garden/common) is the
first choice for savoury dishes and is the type you are most likely to come
across in supermarkets in many countries. Because Peppermint has a stronger
flavour its best suited to sweet recipes.
Oil of Peppermint or Spearmint can generally be substituted for
extract, but only use ¼ to ½ of the amount of extract stated.
Dried mint is an reasonable standby however, as mentioned above, because
of the difference in processing, air-dried mint is best used in recipes
which call for a longer cooking time such as stews, soups and meat and poultry
dishes whereas freeze-dried mint is most suitable for dishes which
require little or no cooking such as omelettes, sauces and dressings. As with
most dried herbs, you should use less than the fresh counterpart. 1 tablespoon
fresh mint = 1 teaspoon dried mint .
There are many cuisines the world over which use one type or another of mint;
India in the classic Raita and in chutneys; England with her good old mint sauce
and jelly (even if it was the Romans who introduced it); North
Africa/Middle East where its often used with rice and other grains; Greece
and the Balkans often in stuffed vine leaves; Vietnam in her national dish, Pho;
South America in their wonderful salsas .... just to name a few.
The flavour of mint goes well with many savoury ingredients, especially
vegetables - minted peas and minted new potatoes are firm favourites here in
England - as well as lamb, poultry and fish dishes. On the sweet side, the taste
goes particularly well with chocolate.
Below
are just a few sweet and savoury recipes using mint. You can find more on this
site my using the SEARCH page.
Happy Cooking!
Starters and Soups
Minted Cucumber with Feta Veg CD HD
Greek 10mins
Squid and Mango Salad CD HD
Cambodian 25mins
Spicy Wrapped Meatballs HT HD
PFC Moroccan 40mins
Turkish Bride Soup Veg HT
SP Turkish 40mins
Stilton and Spinach Parcels Veg HT
HD English 45mins
Chicken Pho HT SP
Vietnamese 60mins plus marinating
Petis HT Indian HD
60mins plus chilling
Minted Split Pea Soup Veg HT
SP 95mins
Main Courses
Chilli Lamb with Mint HT
MC Vietnamese 15mins
Salmon with Minted Yoghurt HT CD MC
15mins
Eels in Green Sauce CD MC
Belgian 45mins plus cooling
Balkan Stuffed Vine Leaves HT
MC Bulgarian 50mins
Chicken Kalya HT MC Mauritian
70mins plus marinating
Turkish Stuffed Peppers Veg
CD MC Turkish 80mins plus cooling
Lamb with a Minted Crust HT MC
100mins
Bacon and Bean Hotpot HT MC
105mins
Persian Meat Stew HT MC
Iranian 140mins
Accompaniments/Misc
Mint Jelly Veg CD ACC
Mint Marinade CD ACC 5mins
Peanut Chutney Veg CD ACC Mauritian 5mins
Mango and Chilli Salsa Veg CD
ACC 10mins
Raita Veg CD Indian
ACC 10mins plus chilling
Apricot Couscous Veg HT
ACC N.African 15mins
White
Cabbage Salad Veg CD ACC 15mins
Minted Potatoes Veg HT CD
ACC 25mins
Classic Mint Sauce Veg CD ACC
English 30mins
Fassoulakia Yahni Veg
HT ACC Greek 30mins
Herbed Rice with Raisins Veg
HT ACC 50mins plus standing
Bhindi Bhaji Veg HT
Indian ACC 60mins
Desserts, Cakes & Bakes
Minted Nectarine Sorbet Veg CD
DP 15mins plus freezing
Cantaloupe Brochettes Veg HT DP 20mins
Fresh Mint Ice Cream Veg CD DP
20mins plus cooling and freezing
Chocolate Mint Sauce Veg HT ACC
40mins
Berry Mint Muffins Veg CD CBF
60mins plus cooling
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