Introduction
Do you find fresh mint wilting away in your fridge after just a few days? Mint is a delicate herb that requires proper storage to stay fresh and flavorful. Whether you grow your own or buy it at the grocery store, learning how to store mint can make a big difference in its shelf life and quality. In this article, we will explore six methods of storing mint, from the basic paper towel and Ziploc bag to more advanced techniques like drying and making infused oil.
The Basics: Storing Mint with Paper Towels and Ziplock Bags
The first and easiest way to store mint is by using paper towels and Ziplock bags. Here’s how to do it:
1. Clean and prepare the mint. Wash the mint stems thoroughly under cold water and shake off excess water. Remove any brown or wilted leaves.
2. Dry the mint. Pat the mint leaves dry with paper towels to remove any moisture.
3. Place mint in a Ziplock bag. Put the mint leaves in the Ziplock bag and seal it tightly.
4. Store in the fridge. Place the bag of mint in the fridge in the crisper drawer or on a shelf.
Using paper towels to store mint helps absorb any moisture and keep the mint fresh for longer. The Ziplock bag also creates an airtight seal that prevents the mint from absorbing any other odors in the fridge.
Freezing Mint
If you have an abundance of mint that you can’t use up quickly, frozen mint is a great idea. Freezing will extend the shelf life of mint beyond a few weeks. Here’s how to do it:
1. Clean and prepare the mint. Wash the mint stems thoroughly under cold water and shake off excess water. Remove any brown or wilted leaves.
2. Dry the mint. Pat the mint leaves dry with paper towels to remove any moisture.
3. Freeze the mint in an ice cube tray. Finely chop the mint leaves and pack them into an ice cube tray. Fill the tray with water and freeze it.
4. Store the mint ice cubes in a Ziplock bag. Remove the frozen mint cubes from the ice cube tray and put them in a Ziplock bag. Seal the bag tightly.
Frozen mint can last up to six months, but it may lose some of its texture when thawed. Frozen mint is best used in recipes like smoothies, soups, and stews, where texture is not important.
Drying Mint using the Hanging Method
Drying is another option for long-term storage. Here’s how to dry mint using the hanging method:
1. Clean and prepare the mint. Wash the mint stems thoroughly under cold water and shake off excess water. Remove any brown or wilted leaves.
2. Bundle the mint. Gather 5-10 mint stems together and tie them with a string or rubber band.
3. Hang the mint upside down. Hang the mint bundle upside down in a dry, ventilated space like a pantry or closet. Let it dry for about one to two weeks.
4. Remove leaves from the stem. Once the mint is dry, remove the leaves from the stem and discard the stem.
5. Store the dried mint. Store the dried mint in an airtight container like a Mason jar.
Drying mint with the hanging method preserves its color and flavor, making it perfect for tea and cooking.
Dehydrating Mint
If you have a dehydrator at home, you can quickly dry mint without waiting for it to air dry. Here’s how:
1. Clean and prepare the mint. Wash the mint stems thoroughly under cold water and shake off excess water. Remove any brown or wilted leaves.
2. Chop the mint leaves. Finely chop the mint leaves into small pieces.
3. Arrange the mint on a dehydrator tray. Spread the chopped mint leaves evenly on a dehydrator tray.
4. Dry the mint. Set the dehydrator to 95°F to 110°F and let the mint dry for two to three hours until it turns crispy.
5. Store the dried mint. Store the dried mint in an airtight container like a Mason jar.
Dehydrating mint is a quick and efficient way to dry mint, but it may result in some loss of color and flavor compared to air drying.
Making Infused Oil with Mint
Making mint-infused oil is a great way to add a unique flavor to your cooking. Here’s how to do it:
1. Clean and prepare the mint. Wash the mint stems thoroughly under cold water and shake off excess water. Remove any brown or wilted leaves.
2. Heat the oil in a saucepan. Heat the oil gently over low heat in a saucepan for 5-10 minutes.
3. Add mint leaves. Add the mint leaves to the warm oil and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
4. Strain the oil. Remove the mint leaves from the oil using a fine mesh strainer.
5. Store the infused oil. Store the mint-infused oil in an airtight container like a bottle or Mason jar.
Infused oil can add flavor when used for cooking or as a salad dressing.
Conclusion
Storing mint properly can help you enjoy its freshness and flavor for weeks or even months. From paper towel and Ziploc bags to drying and making infused oil, there are many ways to store mint. Experiment with different storage methods to find out what works best for your needs. Whether you chop and freeze mint for use in smoothies or make mint-infused oil for cooking, you can easily store your mint to use whenever you need it.
