How to properly collect and dry mint for tea at home

In the cold winter, you want not only to warm up, but also to feel the taste and soothing smell of mint.
The question arises when to collect the leaves of this plant and how to dry them correctly. Dear readers!
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In today's article we will talk about the timing of collecting mint for the winter and methods for drying it.

Which mint is suitable for drying?

Not every plant is suitable for drying for the winter. It doesn’t matter what variety of mint you choose, but you’ll have to think about the specific plant.

First, collect mature, succulent specimens.

Secondly, do not pick mint that is too young. Such specimens will dry out quickly.

Naturally, you cannot take grass near roads, enterprises, landfills, etc. A lot of waste and toxins accumulate in the tissues of such plants. Instead of benefit, such a plant will only bring harm.

Brewing tea

A drink made from dried mint is characterized by quick preparation and a number of useful qualities. Tea is recommended for consumption in the presence of a number of diseases:

1. diabetes;
2. gastritis;
3. hypertension;
4. cold;
5. pancreatitis;
6. malfunction of internal organs caused by poisoning;
7. varicose veins

Brewed mint is also useful for eliminating hangovers and insomnia. There are two options for preparing tea:

• based on mint alone;
• with the addition of other beneficial herbs.

In this article you will find many interesting mint tea recipes.

When to collect mint for drying for the winter

Harvest this variety of spicy greens in the last days of July - the first ten days of August. At this time, the greens contain the maximum concentration of essential oils and extract. And that means it is more useful.

ON A NOTE.

The leaves are not torn off, but carefully cut with scissors or a sharp knife. This way you will avoid damaging the remaining stems of the plant. Also, don't cut too close to the ground. Otherwise, the plant will not produce new leaves.

Carefully place the collected mint in a bag. No need to crumple the leaves. Damage to leaf tissue affects taste and shelf life.

Also cut so as to capture the petiole along with the leaf. Then the leaves will be tied together by their petioles into one bunch for drying.

It is advisable to prepare leaves before noon. The ideal time is when the dew has already passed and the sun has not yet reached its zenith.

By the way, it is believed that the best time to collect greenery is during flowering.

How to prepare mint for drying

Let’s say right away that the time interval between collecting the leaves and starting to dry them should not exceed 2 hours.

The first thing to do with the collected mint is to sort the leaves. We throw away leaves that are too old and withered. At the same stage, we discard randomly encountered weeds.

Next, you need to rinse the mint.

How to dry mint correctly, what you can and cannot do

The leaves are dried exactly until they begin to rustle when touched and break. If the leaves are wrinkled, then drying is not yet complete.

It is possible and even advisable to periodically gently stir the leaves so that they dry on both sides.

It is not advisable to turn on the appliances in use at their maximum power. This way the procedure will take less time, but the mint may dry out and lose both its aroma and the beneficial properties for which it is valued.

Do not dry out the mint. This makes it brittle, turns into powder, partially loses its unique aroma and almost completely its beneficial properties.

Collection time

Mint is a summer plant, so its flowering begins actively in June and July. When to harvest mint for drying varies slightly depending on the climate of the growing region. You need to wait until the moment when it gains color, but its buds still remain closed. The plants are plucked almost entirely, along with the stems, and dried. If you want to get a menthol extract, then wait until the buds fully open. During the period of full flowering, plants are maximally filled with aroma and essential extracts.

To get the maximum benefit and taste from the plant, follow several conditions:

• Do not collect plants located near highways or dusty roads. The air there is heavily polluted, and the flowers have already become saturated with harmful substances. Choose forest clearings located far from the city to collect mint for tea;
• do not pick young plants. They have not yet had time to be properly saturated with beneficial properties, and after drying, the workpiece will not have a healing effect;
• cut the stem at the very base, do not tear it off with your hands, so as not to injure the rhizome. Over the summer, mint can grow several times;
• choose only healthy sprouts. Throw away damaged, frail and faded plants immediately, they are of no use;
• carry out the collection in sunny weather. If it rained the day before, wait for the grass to dry. You cannot collect wet mint; it is not suitable for storage.

Attention! To prevent the mint from drying out after picking, wrap it in damp cotton cloth. This will prevent the leaves from curling and help keep the plant looking fresh.

How to air dry mint

The easiest and most affordable option to dry mint is to carry out the procedure naturally in the air without the use of any additional equipment.

Freshly harvested plants need to be dried in this way. This is how everything for which we value mint will be preserved as much as possible: aroma, taste, benefits.

Drying is carried out according to the following algorithm:

• We distribute the leaves according to size and divide them into bunches;
• we tie the bundles by the stems with thread or twine;
• we hang the collected bunches by the petioles;
• leave the bunches until completely dry (takes from 1 to 3 weeks depending on the weather outside);
• transfer the dried mint to a container for later storage.

IMPORTANT!

Leaves should be dried in a dry, ventilated place with low humidity and no direct sunlight.

This method is the most affordable, because it does not require additional equipment. You can even dry mint at home in the kitchen cabinet or on the balcony. An additional benefit of natural drying is the minty aroma.

Of course, this method is not without its drawbacks. For example, it will not be possible to dry the product if the weather outside is cloudy or even rainy.

Microwave

In order for mint to retain its qualities after drying, the following conditions should be observed: In an electric dryer

Beneficial features

The best time to collect this herb is June. Flowering has not yet begun this month, so all the essential oils are concentrated in the stems and leaves of the plant. After the rain, as soon as the sun appears, the mint leaves steam and emit a pleasant aroma.

Bouquets of 3-4 branches are hung with their heads down in a ventilated room. Direct rays of the sun should not hit the greenery. They can be tied with a thick thread and placed so that there is space between the bundles. The workpiece will be ready in 7 days, provided that the weather outside is sunny and dry.

How to use an electric dryer

You are lucky if you have an electric dryer, which is used to obtain dried fruits. Then the greens can be dried in it.

The leaves are laid out on a wire rack in 1 layer. Turn on the device to the minimum temperature.

Of course, drying will take longer this way, but the maximum beneficial properties of mint will be preserved.

Check the grass periodically to make sure it doesn't dry out.

After completing the procedure, transfer the dried product to the selected container.

How to use a microwave for drying

The most exotic method is drying the leaves in the microwave.

Place the leaves in a single layer on a plate and microwave. Set the timer for 10 seconds (less is possible) and dry the mint.

Such a short period of time will allow you to control the degree of drying of the leaves and avoid drying out of the mint.

The approximate time until fully cooked is from 15 to 45 seconds.

ON A NOTE.

Exactly how long drying will take depends on the number of leaves, their quality, and the power of the microwave oven.

Fermentation of plants

Limoncello is a strong liqueur with a hint of bitterness. It is prepared from lemon zest, granulated sugar, wine alcohol, and water. A bright, tasty drink will perfectly warm you up in winter and protect you from colds. The important thing is that it retains vitamin C. Vodka

Peppermint extract

A refreshing drink made from a fragrant plant will help the whole family survive the summer heat.

1. Chop the mint along with the stems.
2. Scald the lemon, cut it, put it in a saucepan, add water, cook for 15 minutes.
3. Leave for 12 hours.
4. Squeeze out the mixture, strain the infusion, add sand.
5. Cook until it dissolves.
6. Dissolve agar-agar in a glass.
7. Add agar-agar to the jam and cook until completely dissolved.

mint jam in glass bank and on a table

How to store dried mint

In order for dried green leaves to be used for as long as possible, they must be stored properly.

Use glass vials or plastic containers to store dried mint. To prevent the mint flavor from fading away, select containers with a tight-fitting lid.

When transferring the product into selected jars, try not to break the leaves. When whole, they better retain their beneficial properties. If you need powder, grind it immediately before using it for its intended purpose.

The bottles themselves should be stored in a dry place away from the sun. A kitchen cabinet is perfect for this purpose.

Check from time to time to see if the spice needs to dry out a little more. There's nothing wrong with that. It is difficult to constantly maintain low humidity even in an apartment.

Therefore, sometimes you may have to dry the mint again. In this case, use the same method you used in the beginning.

Video

Watch the video to learn more about the nuances of drying mint:

Young mother, wife and housewife. She prepares delicious and, most importantly, healthy meals for her household. Therefore, he is looking for and testing various options for preserving the beneficial properties of fruits and vegetables at home. I am ready to share the experience gained and the results of experiments with readers.

Found a mistake? Select the text with the mouse and click:

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Almost all varieties of mint are valued for many beneficial qualities, including medicinal ones. When it is impossible to obtain a fresh plant, using it in dried form has the same effect. Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to properly collect and, of course, how to dry mint to preserve maximum properties.

Common mistakes

Let's look at what mistakes are made when drying and storing mint.

• Drying too quickly.
  When using an oven, electric dryer or microwave, it is tempting to set the power to maximum so that drying is completed faster. But you can’t do this, because then the mint will lose its taste, aroma and beneficial properties.
• Poor drying.
  To prevent rotting processes from starting, the greens must be thoroughly dried. Take your time. Let the procedure take extra time, then the product will deteriorate later.
• Mint leaves break when dried or when poured into containers.
  This is how dried herbs lose their aroma faster.
• A container of mint is stored in the sun.
  Similar to the previous point, storage in the sun harms the beneficial properties of the dried plant.

Beneficial features

The benefits of mint are as follows:

• positive effect on the nervous and cardiovascular system;
• elimination of stress and insomnia;
• normalization of the digestive process;
• relief from nausea and vomiting;
• regulation of venous and arterial circulation;
• preventing increased intracranial pressure;
• treatment of infectious and colds;
• getting rid of skin problems: fungi, itching, mycosis and various inflammations;
• providing pain relief for migraines;
• relief of PMS symptoms;
• weight loss and cellulite correction.

Answers to frequently asked questions

How can you tell if mint is well dried?

Properly dried leaves retain their natural shade and rustle pleasantly in your hands without turning into dust.

How long does dried mint last?

Without loss of beneficial properties and aroma, mint can be stored for a year.

Who shouldn't drink mint tea?

With caution: persons who are allergic to this herb, people with low blood pressure and problems with blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, as well as children.

What is the best way to store mint?

Ideally in special glass spice jars or canvas bags. Storage in wooden and plastic containers with a tight lid is allowed.

Can it be stored in plastic bags?

It is not advisable to store dried product in bags. Instead of plastic, it is better to use paper or canvas bags.

Contraindications

It is not recommended to indulge in mint teas:

• hypotensive patients;
• patients with severe liver damage;
• persons suffering from varicose veins;
• people who have low acidity of gastric juice and are prone to heartburn;
• children under 3 years of age;
• pregnant women and nursing mothers;
• men with libido problems;
• women with difficulties conceiving;
• for allergy sufferers and people suffering from individual intolerance.

The substances contained in mint have a calming effect. It is important to know about this for patients using medications with similar effects, as well as for people whose work requires increased concentration and quick decision-making.