Dried Mint

Now the mint has begun flowering I find is the best time to cut it down to the ground, tie it up in bundles, and hang it for a week or two dry out until crisp. If you have nowhere inside to hang it, no harm should come if left hanging outside even if caught in the rain. I did this for many years before I had a conservatory.

When dry untie the bundles. Take each stem and rub hard over paper to produce fine tea like powder. Pick out any and destroy that does not powder small. Finally keep for ages in an air tight bottle. When required poor boiling water over a little needed then add a little vinegar ( as my late Mum taught me ).

But I am amazed how few of my friends either never use mint sauce, or being lifelong ‘ Townies ‘ perhaps never trust anything home grown not sold in a supermarket.

 

This might be a daft question, but to make mint sauce, do you have to use dried mint?

 

No Clueless, you can chop fresh mint up very small and just add some vinegar.

 

I'm a fresh mint fan Chopped fine and heated slowly in vinegar. All best tinctures evaporate imo

 

That's great Sigord, thank you, I never thought to dry ordinary garden mint this way. I do make fresh mint sauce sometimes.

I dry my peppermint in the microwave as that makes great tea and keeps its fragrance and colour. I lay individual leaves out onto kitchen paper on the mw turn table and cook on high for 2 mins. I dry most of my 'want to preserve herbs' this way for cooking purposes through the winter.

But for larger quantities I think what you do is the best way.

Thanks for sharing everyone.