Mint for the winter: drying, freezing, syrup, jam

Mint is prized for its strong menthol aroma, which is why recipes for harvesting it for the winter are so popular. This plant got its name thanks to an ancient Greek legend. The god of the underworld, Hades, had a beautiful nymph Menta as her friends. The jealous wife of Aida Persephone, having learned about the adventures of her husband, in a fit of rage tore her rival to pieces. In places where drops of blood of the unfortunate nymph fell, a plant with a characteristic smell grew.

In Russia, mint began to grow at the end of the 19th century for use in soap making, in the tobacco and food industries. In Ukraine, there is a legend about the love of a girl Cops for a simple village guy. Rich parents forbade the couple from dating and drowned the guy in the river. The girl rushed off the cliff in tears, following her lover. Where her tears fell, grass grew with a delicate persistent scent.

It is best to harvest mint for drying during the period when it has thrown out the inflorescences. This is about June, July.

If the collection takes place in the early morning, be sure to shake off the dew.

Cut off with a sharp knife or scissors the tops of the head 10-15 centimeters long. With abundant watering, the remaining bush will give a new crop over time.

Features of plant drying

There are many varieties of mint. In cooking, each variety is used for specific purposes:

• peppermint goes well with vegetable dishes and for preparing various drinks;
• field is used for homemade preparations, put in salads;
• long-leaved is good with meat and fish, added to recipes;
• apple is perfect with lamb.

The easiest way to harvest mint is to dry

1. You can hang cut bunches of mint in the attic. Wait until dry and grind into powder. Store in linen bags or glass jars.
2. You can spread the collected leaves in one layer in the shade and dry. The main requirement is the absence of direct sunlight.
3. Special dryers can be used.

Freezing

In order to be able to use green mint leaves in the home kitchen in the future, it is quite acceptable to freeze the mint.

Method number 1

To do this, clean, dry leaves must be laid out in one layer on a cutting board or any other flat surface of a suitable size and placed in the freezer. After freezing, fold into a bag for easy storage and return to the camera.

Method number 2

Cut the mint into thin strips, put in ice cube trays, add water and freeze. Great for drinks.

Method number 3

Grind fresh mint in a blender or meat grinder, put the mass in ice molds, freeze.

It is quite possible to prepare mint traditionally, as a homemade canned food.

Mint syrup for confectionery and cocktails, recipe number 1

The number of products to obtain 300g syrup:

• 100 grams of mint with round leaves;
• half a kilo of sugar;
• a glass of 250 grams of water.

How to cook:

1. All kitchen utensils must be clean and completely dry.
2. Rinse the collected mint and dry on a lint-free towel.
3. Chop finely with a sharp knife and cover with half the sugar.
4. Leave until morning.
5. Boil a strong syrup from water and the remaining sugar. Check the readiness of the syrup by dropping it onto a dry saucer - if the drop keeps its original shape, the syrup is ready.
6. Mix mint sugar and syrup, boil for 20 minutes.
7. Cool and mix with a blender into a homogeneous mass.
8. Strain into a prepared container through several layers of gauze.
9. Close and refrigerate.

If desired, mint syrup can be prepared for future use.

To do this, boil the strained syrup, pack it in a container warmed up in an oven, seal it tightly, turn it upside down and wrap it up.

After complete cooling, remove to the basement.

Mint syrup, method number 2

Required products:

• 250 grams of fresh mint leaves;
• 800 ml of water;
• 600 gr. Sahara;
• half a medium lemon.

How to cook:

1. Wash the plant, put it on a lint-free cloth.
2. Boil the syrup from the specified amount of water and sugar.
3. Pour the prepared raw materials into the boiled solution and boil for a few more minutes.
4. Strain several times, add lemon juice.
5. Bring to a boil, pour into prepared dish and roll up.

Mint jam

What needs to be prepared:

• 300 gr. mint stalks, along with flowers and leaves;
• half a liter of water;
• 1 lemon.

How to rework everything:

1. Pour the plant with water, boil, let it settle for about a day.
2. Strain, add sugar.
3. Simmer over low heat for about 2 hours.
4. At the end, put finely chopped lemon along with the skin.
5. Cork.

Mint with sugar for refrigeration

Proportions:

• 1 bunch of mint;
• 200 gr. Sahara.

Preparation:

1. Separate the leaves from the stems, wash and dry be sure.
2. Grind the herbs in a food processor.
3. Add sugar and grind again until smooth.
4. Place in a sterilized dry dish with a lid.
5. Add to drinks or baked goods as needed.
6. Keep refrigerated.

Each housewife takes care of keeping as many spices and preparations as possible to pamper the household in the winter. Among these products, mint is invariably listed. The collection of this plant falls on the summer period, however, with proper processing, it retains freshness throughout the winter. As a rule, drying is chosen for this, because this method is simple and quick, and the harvested herb retains its flavor for several years.

You will need to prepare:

• mint - the amount you need;
• airtight container or bag with a zip lock.

Recipe:

1. If you decide to prepare the mint along with the stems, then it must be collected and tied into small (about 3-4 cm in diameter) bundles.
2. Then they need to be hung on a stretched rope, secured with a clothespin. The distance between the beams should be at least 5 cm.
3. The optimal place for drying is an attic space or a shed, where there is no direct sunlight, but the air temperature is high enough.
4. In this state, keep the drying mint until fully cooked, then carefully remove and transfer to an airtight bag with a zip-lock.
5. If you want to prepare only the leaves of this spice, then they should be separated from the stems and spread out in an even layer on clean paper or a towel.
6. When drying, it is necessary to periodically turn the mint so that it does not become rusty. Optimal conditions for harvesting are a shady place outside with good air flow.
7. After harvesting the crumpled leaves, chop and transfer to a plastic container where the herb will retain its aroma for several years.

When choosing options for how to dry the grass for the winter, you should take into account the fact that the plant is strongly not recommended to be heat treated, i.e. prepare it in the oven or lay it out on the windowsill. In this case, the herb loses its beneficial properties and precious aroma.

Mint syrup: a lot of fun in one spoon

A spoonful of aromatic syrup in winter - what could be better? Due to the menthol contained in the composition, the plant is extremely valuable for the preparation of various dishes and drinks. Consider an original way to preserve mint, which will allow you to enjoy the extraordinary taste of the spicy herb, as well as use it as a remedy for winter colds. The herb containing all the vitamin and mineral complex will become a home healer for your household.

Ingredients:

• mint (leaves) - 1 kg;
• granulated sugar - 1 kg;
• water - 200 ml.

Recipe:

1. The first step is to thoroughly rinse the mint leaves and chop coarsely.
2. Then put a container on low heat, into which you should pour sugar and pour the specified amount of water.
3. Fill in the mint.
4. Boil the syrup until the sugar is completely dissolved.
5. When the liquid boils, remove to the stoves and leave under the lid for 1 hour.
6. After the syrup is at room temperature, strain and bottle.
7. Cap and store in a cool, dark place.
8. Mint syrup is ready! Use as an aromatic essence or healing agent. Optionally, dilute with water, adding honey or lemon.

Icy bliss of menthol: maximum benefits and aroma

Frozen mint leaves are typically used for brewing tea or herbal teas. And for lovers of spicy cocktails, freezing will be an excellent remedy for creating beautiful and aromatic ice. In addition, with such processing, mint fully retains the vitamin complex and useful trace elements, which allows you to make not only fragrant, but also healing tea on winter evenings.

You will need to prepare:

• mint (leaves) - 1 kg;
• sealed bags or containers.

Recipe:

1. Initially, it is necessary to separate the leaves from the stems and rinse in cold water.
2. Then they should be spread out on a paper towel or towel to remove excess moisture.
3. Chop the dried crumpled leaves and place in containers. It is advisable to fold tightly so that there is practically no air left inside.
4. The optimal conditions for storing mint are dry freezing with a temperature of -18 ° C to -23 ° C. After freezing the spice, store it in the same mode.

Lemon-mint fad: making delicious jam

Mint is a great ingredient for culinary experiments. For this reason, many housewives always try to keep a couple of jars of spices on hand so that they can surprise their loved ones with delicious dishes. Mint jam is a terrific blank to use as an addition to pancakes, pancakes, baked goods, and drizzle over ice cream or add to tea. Let's consider the recipe in more detail.

Ingredients:

• lemon - 1 pc,
• mint - 150 g,
• water - 300 ml,
• sugar - 300 g

Recipe:

1. The first step is to thoroughly rinse the plant and grind it. Can be taken with the stems.
2. Cut the lemon into thin slices as well.
3. Take a deep container and pour the ingredients into it, filling it with water.
4. Put on low heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove lemongrass and films that are collected with a slotted spoon.
5. Then remove from the stove, cover and put away until it cools completely. Then hide the mass in the refrigerator overnight.
6. In the morning, strain the mint-lemon broth through double cheesecloth.
7. Then pour into a saucepan, add sugar and stir.
8. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
9. Done! Pour the jam into sterilized jars and seal.

Thus, we have considered several delicious and original ways that will help you enjoy the spicy taste and unsurpassed aroma of mint, which retained its properties in the cold winter.

Cultural and wild species of mint are actively used in cooking, folk and traditional medicine. This fragrant plant, rich in essential oils and has long been famous for its healing properties, can be seen today in home gardens and gardens.

But if in the summer, having plucked a few odorous twigs, it is so easy to make healthy tea or broth, use fresh foliage in a soft drink or baked goods, then in winter everything turns out to be under the snow. How to keep mint fresh for the winter? Are there ways to use the healing properties of the plant and enjoy its aroma until spring?

If a couple of decades ago, Russian housewives, by habit, only used mint sushi, today, thanks to the development of technology and the influence of the culinary traditions of other countries, the possibilities have significantly increased. But before you prepare the mint for the winter, you need to collect it and prepare it for processing.

Harvesting mint for the winter

The best season to harvest mint for the winter is July and August. In most regions of the country, mint is about to bloom at this time or is already crowned with pinkish or pale lilac inflorescences. During this period, the foliage, tops of shoots and flowers accumulate the greatest amount of essential oil and other active substances for which the culture is so valued.

The best raw materials can be obtained:

• from plants 2-3 years;
• in the morning or evening hours, when there is no dew on the plants;
• in dry, cool weather.

Cutting is carried out at 1/3 of the stem length, since its rigid part is not suitable for winter storage, but it can still give new growth until the end of the season.

Harvested herbs before storage in the refrigerator or before drying the mint , freeze, carefully sort out, removing dry, damaged parts of the plant and impurities, wash and be sure to dry. If you want to keep the mint fresh for the winter, put the prepared greens in bunches in containers with a small amount of water, cover them with a film or plastic transparent bag on top and transfer them to the refrigerator.

Mint shoots or leaves separated from the stems can be wrapped in paper towels and placed in resealable bags or containers.

In this form, "bouquets" of mint and green leaves retain their freshness and original appearance for up to 4 weeks, but then nature takes its toll. Greens lose their color and elasticity, moisture and nutrients evaporate.

How to store mint if it is impossible to preserve plants for a long time in the refrigerator? You can use one of the oldest methods - dry mint, which will retain both the aroma and valuable oils in this form.

How to dry mint at home?

Drying mint does not require serious labor or complicated preparations. Prepared, clean, moisture-free mint:

• disassembled into small bundles;
• the tops of the shoots sinks into spacious paper bags;
• bandaged and hung out in a dry, ventilated place without access to sunlight.

With this drying method, the grass is not exposed to ultraviolet radiation and heat radiation, wind and dust, moreover, it is inaccessible to insects.

If desired, the bundles include other spicy-flavoring herbs, for example, oregano, St. John's wort, thyme or sage. Such sets will not only help to diversify winter tea drinking, but will also become an excellent healing tool.

If the mint is dried on pallets, the plant material is spread out in a thin layer and also provides protection from the sun, drafts, insects or dirt. In this case, in order for the process to proceed more evenly and faster, the grass will have to be gently agitated from time to time.

Features of drying and storing mint greens

Mint greens, like other spicy herbs, can be dried in modern electric dryers, however, in this case, it is important to remember some of the features of the spicy herbs. How to dry mint so that as much essential oils, vitamins and healing substances as possible remain in it? First of all, do not expose raw materials to high temperatures. The optimum temperature range for drying herbs is 20–35 ° C. Therefore, the most gentle mode is used in an electric dryer, and it is not recommended to dry mint in the oven for the winter.

Delicate greens lose moisture quickly, so the drying process is very intensive. Do not overexpose the mint inside the electric dryer, as this will lead to excessive fragility of the leaves and the loss of some of the beneficial properties.

If the room where the bunches of mint are hung is damp, the grass must be moved to another place as soon as possible, otherwise mold will settle on the stems and leaves and make the raw materials unusable.

Overdried or exposed to high temperatures, mint is easily recognized by the brown color of the leaves. This herb is practically odorless and useless for health.

How to store dried mint properly?

Drying at room temperature takes several days. You can determine the readiness of dried mint by pressing on the leaf plate, if it is easily separated from the stem with a rustle and crumbles, drying can be completed, the raw materials can be crushed and packaged for long-term storage.

Do not forget how to properly store mint after drying. Although crushed greens take up less space, they lose their taste and aroma faster, so it is wiser not to turn dry grass into powder, and use sparing manual methods when grinding, rather than using a coffee grinder.

The best container for storage is glass, clean, dry jars with a tightly lapped lid that does not allow moisture, pests, or foreign odors to penetrate inside. At the same time, in a cool dry place, spicy herbs retain their aromas and taste for up to 6-8 months.

How to freeze mint for the winter?

With the advent of powerful modern freezers in houses, housewives have another opportunity to prepare mint for the winter. Under the influence of low temperatures, the plant seems to be canned, all processes are stopped in it. As a result, mint retains its color, aroma and taste. You can freeze mint for the winter both in bunches and in hotel leaves by packing the washed and dried raw materials in cling film, bags, foil or plastic containers.

For lovers of aromatic refreshments, mint leaves can be used to make portioned ice cubes. Shredded grass or individual whole leaves are placed in molds and filled with boiled water, sent to the freezer.

For a medicinal tea that is extremely useful for winter colds, you can freeze a slice of ginger or a little lemon zest along with mint.

Once the cubes have hardened, it is convenient to store them in resealable bags to prevent them from melting and re-freezing.

Fragrant fresh mint sugar

Another way to keep mint fresh for the winter will appeal to all sweet lovers. Flavored sugar based on selected mint greens is suitable for preparing a variety of culinary dishes, it can be added to baked goods, drinks, fruit salads and desserts. At the same time, the sweetness takes over all the beneficial properties of the plant, and the mint remains fresh for the winter.

For 200 grams of chopped mint greens, take the same amount of sugar. The ingredients are thoroughly chopped and mixed in a blender until smooth, and then laid out in dry, clean cans, simultaneously thickening the sugar.

Sugar with mint greens is stored in the refrigerator for a long time, and in order for food to acquire the real aroma of this fragrant plant, it is worth adding it already to the finished dish.

Mint syrup

For one and a half cups of chopped mint greens, you will need a glass of sugar and the same amount of water. Mint leaves are poured with half of the sugar and left for several hours so that the grass gives juice, and the sugar begins to dissolve. Syrup is made from the remaining sugar and water, checking its readiness after boiling, drop by drop on a saucer. If the drop does not flow, the sugar syrup is ready and you can pour the mint over it.

To preserve all the properties of the plant, the syrup should not be kept on fire for too long. Immediately after boiling, remove the pan, cool the syrup and wipe it through a sieve and pour it into sterilized dry bottles or jars.

How to store mint syrup properly? Vitamin and very fragrant syrup can be stored well for up to two months if sealed jars are placed in a refrigerator or cellar.

How to freeze mint - video

Mint is a very aromatic and extremely healthy plant. Many are accustomed to simply adding it to tea. This tea is very tasty, but besides the "tea" use, mint can be used in other fairly simple recipes, which it will give its unique aroma. Even It has a rather unusual green color from it. Also, mint can be used and Now we put it in sugar, which can be left until winter, and when the snow falls, enjoy its mint taste and remember the past summer months.

How to make peppermint sugar?

If you grow mint at home, in some secluded corner, then, I am sure, it will be enough for you for all the "mint" blanks. After all, it grows very actively and at the same time grows strongly. In this sense, it can be compared with which it is also very difficult to remove from the site, since you have planted it. Why do I say so, because I myself had the imprudence to plant mint where it was not necessary. Since then, it has not been possible to completely remove it from this place. Its roots are developing very quickly and actively and entangling new territories. Now back to the mint sugar. In winter, it can be easily used for the same tea or similar hot drinks. Besides tea, mint sugar is also suitable for any other sweets that use sugar. I think the mint taste will not hurt them at all.

As the name implies, there are only two ingredients. This is sugar itself and As for the amount of these components, then for 4-6 tablespoons of tablespoons of sugar, mint, you will need to take 2 or 3 larger bunches.

Now the mint will need to be prepared before you mix it with the sugar. To begin with, like other products, it must be mine. We will not use the mint stalks, but only cut off one leaves. Further, these leaves will need to be crushed. This is best done with a food processor, where you will need to use a metal knife attachment. The mint leaves need to be chopped smaller. As a result, you should end up with a rather small crumb from the leaves. Further, sugar itself can be poured into this mint crumb. We turn on the harvester again, for 2 minutes. During this time, the mint will be evenly distributed over the entire volume of sugar.

Sugar with mint is ready for you, you can pour it into any jars. There we tamp it well and close it with a lid. It is best to store it in

When you cook something with added sugar, you need to add sugar at the very end of the cooking process. So that you can keep it long enough, do not forget to tamp it well in jars. That's all, now you have delicious, somewhat unusual, and super aromatic sugar.

But in this video, you will be shown how you can also make mint syrup. Look, I think it will also be useful to you.

P.S. If the article was useful to you, please share it with your friends on social networks. I would be very grateful to you for that.

Harvesting and storage of mint for the winter. Mint recipes. What can be prepared from mint for the winter? All types of cultural and wild-growing mint are actively used in medicine, cooking, cosmetology. Peppermint is used as a medicine, has soothing and disinfecting properties.

For external use, mint leaves are used to treat dermatological diseases, general hair strengthening, fight against seborrhea, as a pain reliever. For internal use, you can prepare tea, drink, tincture, jelly juice, sauce, liquor, jam with mint. Mint goes well with a variety of foods and dishes. In this form, mint helps to cope with intestinal cramps, bronchitis, flatulence, nausea, heartburn, headache. Video: What to cook with mint? Recipes

How to store mint for the winter Collect and harvest mint in the season of its flowering - June, July. The raw materials for collection include stems, leaves, inflorescences. Before choosing a method of storing mint for the winter, the plant must undergo a certain initial treatment. All leaves should be sorted out, damaged, then rinsed and thoroughly dried. Video: Storing mint

Drying mint for the winter Drying mint is very simple. We divide it into bunches, shoots, put it in spacious paper bags. We tie the bags with mint and hang them in a dry, dark place, with access to ventilation. Such drying will help the mint not to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation, prevent insect breeding. And the healing essential oils and vitamins will remain in full. The readiness of dried mint is determined by the rustling of mint leaves. If they separate well from each other, are easy to grind, drying can be completed.

For winter tea, a variety of herbs are added to bunches with mint, for aroma: oregano, St. John's wort, sage and thyme. In the modern world, specialized electric dryers are used to dry mint. To dry mint, you must use the lowest and most gentle temperature regime - about 35 degrees. The best place to store dried mint is in a dry glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Dried mint has a shelf life of no more than eight months. Freezing mint for the winter Freezing of mint can be done in several ways: Freezing without blanching. Grind the mint leaves and place them in a container for storing food. The shelf life is no more than nine months. Mint will lose its beneficial properties later. For a longer shelf life, dip the mint in boiling water for a few seconds. Then immediately in cold water and place in freezer bags

For making spectacular and aromatic cocktails, mint is frozen with ice cubes. To do this, carefully put the mint leaves in specialized molds and fill them with boiled water To prepare preventive and antiviral teas, you can put pieces of ginger and lemon zest in such cubes. Once frozen, the mint cubes are stored in mint jelly bags for the winter. Mint jelly for the winter will delight you with summer memories and help prevent colds and cope with the disease. The jelly itself turns out to be yellow; to give it a beautiful emerald hue, lime juice or green food coloring should be added.

The consistency of peppermint jelly is like a thick sauce. So they can serve the table not only for tea drinking, but also as the main sauce for delicious lamb and poultry dishes.To make mint jelly, we need: Mint leaves - one glass, Purified water - one glass, Apple cider vinegar ½ cup, Granulated sugar - half a kilogram. Food dye - five drops, Gelatin or pectin - seventy-five grams. Cooking steps: Thoroughly wash and finely chop the mint leaves. Pour apple cider vinegar into a saucepan for making jelly, add mint and sugar. Mix thoroughly. over low heat, bring to a boil, stirring slowly. After boiling, remove from heat and add the dye in jelly. Put the pan on the fire again and bring to a boil. We hold for a minute and remove from heat We filter the finished jelly through cheesecloth or a sieve. Distribute the mint jelly in clean jars and sterilize them for fifteen minutes. We seal the jars and store at room temperature Video: Mint syrup for the winter

Video: Mint Jam with Lemon

Mint with sugar for the winter

One way to keep mint fresh in winter is to make mint sugar. This flavorful treat is suitable for a wide variety of culinary dishes. Mint sugar can be used in baked goods, drinks, salads and desserts. Thus, mint will always be fresh, and the vitamin composition will be present in dishes in full. To prepare sugar we take: Fresh mint - two hundred grams Granulated sugar - one hundred grams All the ingredients are chopped and mixed using a blender. We lay out the resulting homogeneous mass in clean cans, sealing the contents well. Such mint sugar can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time. For the fragrant aroma of your culinary inventions, add such mint to the prepared dish. Mint juice for the winter. Mint juice is actively used for medicinal purposes. Due to the possession of antiemetic, choleretic and antispasmodic action. Mint juice is also in demand in cooking, when baking confectionery, bread.

To make mint juice, you need: Mint leaves - one kilogram of purified water - half a liter To prepare mint juice for the winter, finely chop fresh mint leaves or pass through a meat grinder. We infuse the resulting liquid for three hours, then strain, bring to a boil. Remove the juice from the heat and pour it into jars, sterilize for about twenty minutes, seal it tightly and let cool. You can store mint juice at room temperature. Mint sauce for the winter

Mint sauce is considered easy to prepare and the most refined in taste. It perfectly conveys the taste of meat dishes, especially lamb. We make mint sauce with the following ingredients: Fresh mint - 400 g Wine vinegar - 100 g Salt, sugar - 10 g each Hot water - 100 gr Recipe for making mint sauce-Take the mint, wash it under running water, dry it. Carefully separate the leaves. Grind the mint in a blender. Place the mint in a container, pour in vinegar, add salt and sugar. Add water to obtain the desired consistency. Mint sauce is ready. Video: Mint sauce for the winter

Mint drink for the winter. Mint drinks for the winter include: mint tea, mint extract, mint liqueur, mojito, mint compote, mint syrup, mint broth.