Hardly any other herb can be used in the kitchen in such a versatile way as peppermint. The green herb is slightly spicy and gives dishes and drinks a fresh, spicy aroma. But you can also use peppermint to make oil.
How can I process peppermint?
Peppermint can be used in many ways, e.g. as tea, in salads, desserts, cocktails or as decoration. Fresh and dried leaves can be used. Peppermint oil is made by placing the stems in virgin olive oil for about three weeks.
Peppermint can be used in so many different ways
- Tea
- Salad
- Sweet dishes
- Cocktails and soft drinks
- Decoration
- Peppermint oil
You can use fresh and dried peppermint for all foods and drinks. You should only use freshly harvested herbs for decoration and in cocktails.
You can also freeze peppermint. It then loses its aroma, but the herb still comes into its own in sweet dishes or salads.
Process peppermint
Peppermint can be used fresh or cooked. However, many vitamins are lost when cooking.
Pluck the fresh leaves from the stems and add to food or drinks.
Depending on the intended use, rub dried peppermint from the stem or pour boiling water over the entire stem to make tea.
Peppermint tea – the most popular herbal tea
In addition to chamomile, peppermint is one of the most commonly used herbal teas. It is therefore worth harvesting and drying a larger quantity in the summer before flowering. Then you can enjoy aromatic peppermint tea even in winter. In contrast to commercially available teas, tea made from leaves you harvest yourself is uncontaminated and he althier.
Make peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is easy to make yourself. To do this, add a handful of stems to virgin olive oil and seal the bottle airtight. Place them in a warm place for about three weeks.
Less is often more
This also applies to peppermint. It often has such a strong aroma that it quickly overpowers other spices.
Use peppermint sparingly and use fewer leaves until you find the ideal amount.
People with stomach problems should also be careful when consuming peppermint, as the essential oil can cause heartburn and attack the stomach walls.
Tip
Do you love jelly or jam with a little pizzazz? When cooking cherry, apple or raspberry jelly, add a few leaves of fresh peppermint. This gives the sweet spread a particularly fresh taste.
