Country to raznotravya prevents to keep kitchen garden in ideal order. But there is one green plant which will warm with the taste and aroma in the cold winter. It is mint.
Fragrant mint is widely used in various purposes. All its grades are suitable for the use. Preparation of this gentle plant is carried out only during blossoming. As a rule, it is the period from the middle of June on August. At this moment the concentration of nutrients reaches maximum. When collecting mint cut off tops, about 2/3 parts. It is also admissible to collect only leaves. Several ways of preparation of this herb are possible.
Drying
The simplest and most often used option. Plants touch, carefully wash out and dry up. In hover in the form of small bunches have in well aired room. Usually drying takes about a week. It is also admissible to spread out leaves on the newspaper or dry towel. Periodically lobes need to be overturned to avoid humidity. The dried plant can be stored in glass jars, bags made of cloth and paper bags.
Freezing
This option will allow to keep the maximum quantity of useful substances. Leaves separate from stalk, accurately stack in package and place in the freezing chamber. The type of freezing in ice cubes is interesting to cocktails and soft drinks.
Mint sugar. It is widely used for preparation of desserts and sweets. Leaves of mint mill to condition of gruel in the blender, then mix with sugar. Ingredients use 1/1. The received fragrant sugar is densely stacked in glass container and stored in the fridge.
Jam from mint
Such preparation not only tasty, but also useful. Mint is small cut, enough two hundred grams of raw materials, add one cut lemon and place in pan with one liter of the boiling water. Mix 15-20 minutes then filter and fragrant water put on fire again. Add two glasses of sugar and cook until thick. Half an hour suffices usually, but if desired more stiff consistency can cook still.
Now boarding
This way - the most interesting as allows to keep plant in its original state. The leaf is torn off from stalk and put in water. After the plant takes root, it is planted in soil. Mint is rather unpretentious, well expands, it is easy to look after such plant and the to break more leaflets, the bush will be more magnificent. The flower growing at home will be not only is useful to health, but also to be pleasing to the eye.
Useful tips
- It is preferable to cut off fresh mint, but not to break if it intends for storage.
- If weather rainy fog has also laid down, then this time is not suitable for collecting grass at all.
- During collecting mint it is necessary to keep the cut-off blossoming mint stipitates in shadow as much as possible to keep essential oils.
- June mint gathers in full bloom, then tea from mint will be the most curative.