Mint and lemon balm are aromatic herbs that help us well in the winter season. They can be brewed into tea, added to drinks, salads, or prepared as an aromatic decoction; they are also good at reducing skin irritation during acne. Lotions and rubbing with mint infusion refresh the skin and relieve itching in case of insect bites.

Mint and lemon balm are collected from July to August, in an ecologically clean area, away from the city strip and highways. When dried, it can be stored for an unlimited amount of time, and can be added to any tea as a brew. To procure basic raw materials:

• Flowering plants are collected from the tops of mint and lemon balm during the budding period.
• The raw materials are dried under a canopy or in a well-ventilated area.
• Once it is dry, carefully break and store in glass containers.

If the raw materials need to be frozen, then after collecting the grass:

Mint and lemon balm leaves should be thoroughly rinsed under running cold water, dried and Place in thick plastic bags.

Release all the air and place in the freezer.

If you want to use super freezing, then just Place the leaves on a tray and place in the freezer. and after half an hour, remove and transfer them to a pre-prepared container.

What are the pros and cons of freezing?

The advantages of freezing are that the leaves of the plant retain their bright green color, and it cannot be distinguished from freshly picked ones. You can freeze the plant in:

• Cling film, in the form of a dense sausage.
• In any plastic container.
• And also in the form of ice cups, which are good because they come in portions and can be used both for making cocktails, cooling drinks, and for masks.
• When frozen, the leaves are stored until the next harvest and used as desired.

There is only one downside to freezing: that if the lights are turned off, all frozen grass quickly deteriorates and cannot be frozen again.

If you select, prepare and freeze mint correctly, you will be more than satisfied with the result. Naturally, special attention should be paid to the choice of mint sprigs.

Knowing that I had work ahead of me in the evening preparing mint for the winter, I picked it from the garden an hour before the freezing process began.
I picked it and put it in a bowl with cold water in a cool place. If it is very hot, you can cover the mint sprigs with a wet towel, then the leaves will not wither and will be shiny and juicy.

If you buy mint at the market or in a store, then take a good look at it. Mint is often sold in bags, with the grass compacted tightly, and if moisture gets into the bag, the branches and leaves may turn black due to tightness and temperature changes. Such mint is not suitable not only for freezing, but also for drying. Make sure the leaves are fresh, firm, and not spoiled by insects or mechanically damaged.

Store-bought mint should not be stored for a long time before the freezing process begins. Every hour matters - because the longer the mint sits, the less aroma and beauty remains in it.
There are a great many varieties of mint. Therefore, the size and shape of your mint leaves may differ from mine in the photographs.

It doesn’t matter where the mint grew: in the garden at the dacha, in the forest, in a greenhouse, on a windowsill, or was bought in a store - it must be washed well.
I rinsed it under running cold water, paying attention to each branch. You can take water into a deep bowl and immerse mint sprigs there, naturally, also washing them thoroughly.

Second, lay the sprigs on a board, tray or towel and place the mint on the windowsill, creating a draft in the room. It’s summer now and the warm air will quickly dry out the moisture from the mint. I used exactly this method.

Third - spread the mint on large dish and place a couple of forks on its branches. Turn on a fan in the room at minimum speed or a hair dryer on the cold air setting. Direct a stream of air at the mint, this will quickly dry it, and the weight of the forks will prevent it from scattering around the room.

I'll show you some techniques for freezing mint. Everything is quite simple, without unnecessary hassle.

A. Freeze mint leaves in a container or bag.
Take special container or a tray with a lid for freezing food. Remove the leaves from washed and dried mint. Determine the number of leaves yourself, based on the number of containers for freezing. If the leaves are unattractive, holey or spotted, it is advisable to throw them away.
Do not compact the leaves, do not injure them, it is better to take more containers.

If there are no such boxes, then take thick plastic bags. Place mint leaves in them, release the air and close tightly. You can also use the emergency freezing mode or super freezing mode. Place the mints on a tray and freeze, and after 8-10 minutes, very quickly pour them into a bag.

The shelf life of mint is from 6 to 9 months at minus 18 degrees and below. Be sure to sign the label with the date it was frozen.

Mint frozen in this form is best used for brewing. aromatic tea or other warm drink. Just add a frozen mint leaf to your tea. You can also make mint from these leaves.

B. Freezing mint in cling film.
Everything here is quite simple: take cling film, place mint leaves and the tops of the sprigs on it. Do not freeze the entire branch, it is better to pinch off its upper part, where the stem is not as rigid as at the base, and the most beautiful and young leaves are at the top.

Roll the mint tightly into a sausage, wrapping it in cling film several times. Store in the freezer for 9 months.

This preparation can be used for stuffing rolls - meat and vegetable, and decorating dishes with twigs. Mint sprigs defrost very quickly; just leave them room temperature. Look how delicious and aromatic it turns out.

C. Freezing mint ice cubes.
This is perhaps the most good way freezing mint. Freezing mint in ice cubes will preserve all its qualities. It definitely won’t turn black, won’t break, and the leaves won’t crack from low temperatures. And in drinks the leaves will be exactly like fresh ones.

If you purchased or cut aromatic herbs and did not use them, store them in the refrigerator. To prevent the mint from wilting, rinse the branches with leaves thoroughly and shake a little excess water. Wrap in damp gauze or towel and place in the refrigerator.

The washed greens can be placed in a plastic container and covered with a lid. If you don't have a suitable container, place the fragrant sprigs in a disposable bag and tie tightly to prevent air from entering. You can also put the greens in a glass of water. Mint can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

How to store mint for a long time?

The season for collecting this fragrant greenery falls at the end of July - beginning of August. At this time it contains greatest number essential oils. If you know how to properly store fresh mint, you can enjoy it pleasant aroma throughout the year.

If you want to prepare mint for the winter, then know that you can do this in two ways:

· freezing;

Before freezing greens, rinse them thoroughly and let them dry. Place the prepared twigs and leaves in bags or containers and send them to freezer. To make mojitos and other cold drinks, mint can be frozen in ice cube trays. Fill the molds with water, placing a couple of clean mint leaves in each compartment. Freeze.

When the greens are completely dry, place them in glass jars and close the lids. You can also use linen bags to store dried mint. In this form aromatic plant used for making tea, and when ground into powder - as a seasoning for meat dishes, salads and snacks.

Knowing how to store mint, you can use it both in summer and winter. There are several simple ways. You can keep the greens fresh in the refrigerator for several days or stock up for the winter.

Mint is one of the most popular plants among medicinal and herbs. Mint is used mainly for its stimulating effect, as well as for the treatment of stomach diseases and simply as an additive to dishes and drinks.

This herb is used in case of digestive problems, colic or flatulence. The plant is widely used in the form of hot tea, obtained by brewing the leaves. A couple of glasses a day can be consumed to quickly and effectively relieve stomach problems. Dried leaves, drenched hot water, can be drunk as tea, and also used as an additive in juices.

Useful properties of mint

Mint contains many essential oils. The leaves and flowering tops of the grass contain them in amounts from 1% to 3%.

Generally essential oil peppermint contains more than 100 various components, including a variety of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, flavonoids such as luteolin, rutin, hesperidin.

• She happens to be an excellent remedy for the digestive system, increases the secretion of gastric juice and bile, while the stomach muscles relax;
• Soothes the mucous surface and muscles of the intestines, which helps in cases of diarrhea;
• Used in the treatment of short bowel syndrome;
• The essential oils and flavonoids found in the leaves may aid digestion;
• The menthol contained in the oil reduces the enzymatic activity of the liver and theoretically can reduce cholesterol levels in the blood;
• It has antibacterial and antiviral properties and is used in the treatment of various infections;
• It has both warming and cooling properties. When used internally, it increases heat and blood circulation, increases sweating;
• As a decongestant, it helps relieve nasal congestion and runny nose;
• Restores energy, helps relieve drowsiness;
• Fresh leaves are applied topically to the skin to relieve arthritis, headaches and migraines, neuralgia, sciatica;
• Used internally, mint relaxes, reduces anxiety, nervousness and tension, pain and spasms;
• IN digestive system relaxes smooth muscles and reduces inflammation, reduces cramps and stomach pain, colic, flatulence, heartburn, dyspepsia, hiccups, nausea associated with motion sickness;
• Mint can be used to prepare refreshing summer drinks or cocktails;
• Fresh, dried, and frozen leaves can be added to hot soups;
• In order to improve the taste of green peas, potatoes, young carrots, you can add a little mint to the water where the vegetables are boiled;
• Fresh or dried leaves peppermint is used to prepare sauces, butter, jelly;
• Added to fish, poultry, meat dishes and dishes with peas and beans;
• It can be added to vinegar.

Mint is considered safe for consumption. But in large quantities may cause burning and gastrointestinal problems in some people. It should be avoided by people suffering from chronic heartburn. Peppermint leaf tea should be used with caution in infants and young children.

How to freeze mint for the winter

Not everyone has theirs own garden, greenhouses or greenhouses to pamper yourself in the middle of winter aromatic herbs, so it’s useful to know how you can preserve mint. Instead of drying mint, you can also freeze it for the winter. Freezing is one of the easiest ways to store it, and it retains more flavor and aroma than drying it.

Young leaves and inflorescences that have not yet bloomed have a strong aroma and more powerful taste.

Collect them correctly in the morning or evening; you should not pick the herbs in the middle of a sunny day, because we can bring home a dried-out plant that has already lost some of its aroma.

Preparing for freezing. Freshly harvested plants should be washed and dried with paper or a towel. Rinse them thoroughly to ensure no insects or sand are frozen with the plant.

How should you freeze mint for the winter?

There are several ways to freeze mint:

• No blanching. The leaves must be crushed and placed in a container. You need to sign on the container what was frozen and when. Herbs prepared this way can be stored for 4-9 months, some sources say up to 8-12 months. The longer they are stored, the more they lose nutritional value. Also when long-term freezing mint changes color, aroma and taste;
• With blanching. If you want to store your herb longer, you should blanch it by soaking it in a bowl for a few seconds before freezing it. hot water then quickly dip into very cold water and place in freezer bags or containers;
• How can you freeze mint for Mojito? Flowers and leaves can be frozen in ice cubes. They look very impressive and can be used to make cocktails and drinks. The prepared grass should be poured and tamped with your fingers into ice molds. Then fill it with cold boiled water.

Place the tray or container in the freezer. Typically, after 24 hours the mint is frozen. You can freeze mint and lemon balm this way.

It is worth remembering that the container should be tightly closed during the storage period, and ice cubes after freezing should also be poured into the container and tightly closed with a lid to better protect the mint from absorbing the odors of other products stored in the freezer.

Be sure to label herbs frozen for the winter, as once frozen their species will be difficult to determine.

Is it better to freeze or dry mint?

Mint and lemon balm can also be dried. Dried herbs can be stored for a year.

Some plants are used only in medicine - both official and folk. Other plants are so versatile that they can be useful in everyday life, in cooking, and in cosmetology.

Such plants include mint. Her unique properties They help cope not only with nausea, cough, migraines or bloating, but also successfully fight moths and freshen the air in the room.

Mint is also often used in cooking: as a seasoning for meat, fish, vegetable dishes or serves as a flavoring in baked goods. Mint is added to sauces, compotes, kvass, drinks, tea.

Mint as a fragrance is used in cosmetology: in cream or toothpaste.

Mint is a very accessible plant. In the warm season, you can pick it growing wild near a river or in the mountains. And the cultivated species - peppermint– can be planted in the front garden or in the vegetable garden.

In dried form, mint is sold in any pharmacy or grocery store in the spice department.

To ensure that mint is always at hand in winter, housewives have been drying it for a long time. But recently a new trend has appeared - they began to freeze mint.

This method seems strange to some, but, as they say, if there is demand, there will be supply.

How to freeze mint (dry method)

Only young, freshly cut leafy tops of mint without flowers are suitable for freezing, since the leaves are most often used in cooking.

Mint is washed well in cold water and lay out on a towel (it’s better to take a paper one) to dry. To make the branches dry faster, they are often turned over.

Method 1. Place mint sprigs in twos or three pieces together, wrap tightly in plastic film and put it in the freezer.

Method 2. Leaves are torn off the branches, loosely placed in small containers, covered with lids and put in the freezer.

Method 3. Cleanly dried leaves are cut into thin strips, slightly dried and packaged, without crushing, in containers or bags with zip fasteners.

How to Freeze Mint in Ice Cubes

Pure mint is finely chopped, placed in molds for freezing and filled with cold water, just short of the edges.
The molds are placed in the freezer to freeze.

You can also freeze whole mint leaves in ice cube trays.