Thursday, June 02, 2005
Heidi Bond raves about candied mint.
I havent found a good recipe, but here's some mint info.
Mint is one of my fave herbs, and it's supposed to grow like kudzu,
but I can't get it to grow. I think I know where there's a patch nearby.
Maybe a midnight trip with a shovel.
I wrote out a list of 12 things to do today, but it doesn't seem like I'll get to any of them.
Hints on Mints
The true mints are zesty perennials of several characteristic flavors and scents that are notorious for their usually rampant growth. They often will climb out of their appointed beds and appear in other garden areas where they may be less than welcome. They spread by roots and runners and also are able to start rootless wherever the stems touch the ground. Label them well and plant them in containers or beds that have barriers. Regular stem and root pruning will help keep mints from spreading. Don't let this invasive habit keep you from growing the mints. They are among the most flavorful herbs. Lemonade, iced teas, and the famous mint Julep would be sad potions, indeed, without mint.
SPEARMINT (Mentha spicata) is probably the best known true mint. It has rich green leaves, grows two to three feet in height, and has spikes of pink flowers. It comes in both curly and plainleaved types. Some spearmints are stronger in flavor than others so you may wish to sample several before choosing one for your garden. In addition to being a flavorful garnish for cold drinks and hot teas, spearmint is the key to mint sauce.
PEPPERMINT (Mentha x piperata) has a sharp taste that is familiar to all. Its glossy leaves are darker than spearmint and have a ruddy cast. Peppermint grows to a height of about a foot and a half.
APPLE MINT (Mentha suaveolens) has rounded, woolly leaves with an apple scent. This mint has white flowers and reaches three feet in height. Apple mint makes delightful teas and is especially good for making candied mint leaves.
CURLY MINT (Mentha aquatica var. crispa) has a milder mint flavor and is noted for its small, curled, light green leaves.
ORANGE MINT (Mentha X piperata var. citrate), also called bergamot mint, is known for its large, dark green leaves with wavy edges and distinct citrus scent and flavor. This is a different plant from the bergamot that is also known as bee balm (Monarda didyma) which also has a citrus flavor and fragrance, but is not a mint. The use of the common name, bergamot, for these plants is due to their similarity to bergamot oil from the tropical orange bergamot tree (Citrus aurantium) which is the characteristic flavor of Earl Grey tea.
PINEAPPLE MINT is a pineapple- flavored cultivar of apple mint and has similar uses. It has attractive cream and green variegated leaves.
I havent found a good recipe, but here's some mint info.
Mint is one of my fave herbs, and it's supposed to grow like kudzu,
but I can't get it to grow. I think I know where there's a patch nearby.
Maybe a midnight trip with a shovel.
I wrote out a list of 12 things to do today, but it doesn't seem like I'll get to any of them.
Hints on Mints
The true mints are zesty perennials of several characteristic flavors and scents that are notorious for their usually rampant growth. They often will climb out of their appointed beds and appear in other garden areas where they may be less than welcome. They spread by roots and runners and also are able to start rootless wherever the stems touch the ground. Label them well and plant them in containers or beds that have barriers. Regular stem and root pruning will help keep mints from spreading. Don't let this invasive habit keep you from growing the mints. They are among the most flavorful herbs. Lemonade, iced teas, and the famous mint Julep would be sad potions, indeed, without mint.
SPEARMINT (Mentha spicata) is probably the best known true mint. It has rich green leaves, grows two to three feet in height, and has spikes of pink flowers. It comes in both curly and plainleaved types. Some spearmints are stronger in flavor than others so you may wish to sample several before choosing one for your garden. In addition to being a flavorful garnish for cold drinks and hot teas, spearmint is the key to mint sauce.
PEPPERMINT (Mentha x piperata) has a sharp taste that is familiar to all. Its glossy leaves are darker than spearmint and have a ruddy cast. Peppermint grows to a height of about a foot and a half.
APPLE MINT (Mentha suaveolens) has rounded, woolly leaves with an apple scent. This mint has white flowers and reaches three feet in height. Apple mint makes delightful teas and is especially good for making candied mint leaves.
CURLY MINT (Mentha aquatica var. crispa) has a milder mint flavor and is noted for its small, curled, light green leaves.
ORANGE MINT (Mentha X piperata var. citrate), also called bergamot mint, is known for its large, dark green leaves with wavy edges and distinct citrus scent and flavor. This is a different plant from the bergamot that is also known as bee balm (Monarda didyma) which also has a citrus flavor and fragrance, but is not a mint. The use of the common name, bergamot, for these plants is due to their similarity to bergamot oil from the tropical orange bergamot tree (Citrus aurantium) which is the characteristic flavor of Earl Grey tea.
PINEAPPLE MINT is a pineapple- flavored cultivar of apple mint and has similar uses. It has attractive cream and green variegated leaves.
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