![]() Crumble leaves into a glass storage jar, preferably storing this jar in a cool, dark place. Remove from oven, allow to cool completely. Bake in a pre-heated 170*F oven for 2-3 hours. Spread the leaves into a single layer on cookie sheets. To dry your chocolate mint, clean it as needed after harvesting. You should be able to bulk harvest in this manner three times per season. You’ll be removing the yellowing lower leaves, which will promote bushier growth. Cut the whole plant to just above the first or second set of leaves. This will ensure the most intense flavor. If you’d like to bulk harvest your chocolate mint, do so by waiting until just before the plant blooms. If you’d rather contain the plant, you’ll need to plant it in a container and keep it trimmed. It makes a beautiful ground cover if you have the room. The plant sends out runners and will quickly take over a garden area. Shhhh, let this be our little secret.īe sure to have plenty of room for your mint plant to grow. Yes, I will personally testify to the truth of this claim! I hide it in salads for this very reason. Ladies, this can be extremely beneficial, if like me, you have a house full of males. Dare I say? When eaten regularly, it can even eliminate or greatly diminish the foul smell of some naturally occurring gaseous body odors. Palate cleanser and food digestionĪdded to an after-dinner green salad, Chocolate Mint makes an interesting palate cleanser that will actually aid in food digestion. Sweeten with your choice of 4 dropper-fulls of liquid chocolate Stevia or 1/2 cup sugar. Add the tea strainer to a half-gallon jug, along with 2 Luzianne family-sized tea bags. Sweet Chocolate Mint TeaĪdd chopped chocolate mint to a tea strainer. This is my all-time favorite! I call it “hot chocolate mint tea.” Delicious! (And if you crave chocolate, this will give you a healthful and low-calorie fix.) 2. Want a little more creamy and chocolatey flavor? Just add a couple of tablespoons of chocolate almond, coconut, or soy milk. Remove tea strainer and sip the most amazingly refreshing tea! Place the tea leaves into a tea strainer, add strainer to the cup, pour in boiling water and steep for at least five minutes. Hot Herbal TeaĬhocolate Mint makes the best fresh herbal tea ever! Just clip enough leaves to half fill your cup. If you can’t find a plant locally, have no fear, you can purchase seeds and have them delivered to your door! 5 uses for chocolate mint: 1. My purchase was made in springtime, and by early summer I had more than an abundance of Chocolate Mint! Intrigued by the name, I purchased a small 4-inch pot for about $2.00. I promise!įive or six years ago I stumbled upon a Chocolate Mint plant while browsing the herb section at a local nursery. It is an herbal plant, but NO GREEN THUMB is required. Features rounded to lance-shaped dark green leaves (1-2' long) and terminal spikes of small lavender flowers in summer. ![]() It typically grows to 2 tall and spreads by rhizomes to form an attractive ground cover. Not only is Chocolate Mint easy to grow, but it is hard to kill. Mentha × piperita is a rhizomatous, upright perennial which is most commonly grown as a culinary herb and/or ground cover. I have discovered many practical uses for this plant, so I use it abundantly. If I can buy a product for a low cost and continue to use it, year after year, I’m a pretty satisfied customer.Ĭhocolate mint has been one of those treasured purchases for me. ![]() ![]() Mint leaves can be harvested for use in the kitchen once plants have begun to flower.Chocolate Mint- Good For Much More Than Tea!ĭid you know that there’s a plant that is nearly impossible to kill, grows abundantly, and has a myriad of uses? Sound good? It sure did to me! For a $2 investment, I’ve been enjoying these benefits for the past few years. Full sun to partial shade is also acceptable for growing mint. You may also want to keep the containers spaced at least a foot or two (31-61 cm.) apart to prevent various types from cross-pollinating.Īlthough most varieties of mint are easy to grow in various settings, these plants thrive best when located in organically rich, moist but well-drained soil. Merely sink them into the soil leaving the top sticking out about an inch (2.5 cm.) or so. One of the best ways to grow mint in the garden without the threat of rampant spreading is by using containers. Large clumps can also be dug up and divided into smaller plants. ![]() Simply pull or snip off a rooted piece of mint growing from the parent plant. In fact, taking a cutting is one of the easiest methods for growing mint. All types of mint, however, can be grown by this means. Peppermint does not produce seeds therefore, this type must only be propagated by taking root cuttings from established plants. Some of the most commonly grown mint plants include:Īll mint varieties except peppermint can be grown from seed. While they’re most often used for flavoring dishes or as garnishes, many types of mint are also grown for their unique aromas. Numerous mint varieties exist, and all are worth growing in the garden. While its aggressive nature and reputation for taking over the garden is well deserved, growing mint plants can be a rewarding experience if it’s kept under control. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |