Peppermint tea made from fresh peppermint from the garden is very refreshing on hot summer days. But it's not just the English who appreciate them as a spice in their mint sauce. Tips on how to properly harvest and process your peppermint.

When is the best time to harvest peppermint?

There are three ways to harvest fresh peppermint

  • Small amounts ongoing
  • First harvest just before flowering in June
  • Second main harvest in autumn
  • Cutbacks whenever necessary

Harvest peppermint properly

As soon as the peppermint has developed enough leaves, you can pick a few of them at a time to prepare a tea or to add flavor to delicious dishes.

Since peppermint is usually drunk as a tea or processed into peppermint oil in this country, the main harvest should take place when the plant begins to flower. Then the proportion of essential oils in the leaves is highest. The flowering period lasts from June to August.

Shortly before winter you can grab the scissors or the knife again and cut the plants down completely. However, the harvested stalks are only suitable for consumption if the summer has been very warm. After cool, rainy summers, it is not worth processing the peppermint because the leaves could not develop enough aroma.

How is peppermint cut?

Simply pluck individual leaves from the stems with your fingers. Make sure, however, that the stems do not tear, as pest infestation can quickly settle here.

For the main crops, it is best to cut the peppermint just above the ground with sharp scissors. The plants tolerate heavy pruning and reliably sprout again.

You also have to reach for the scissors from time to time to shorten the peppermint. The plants tend to overgrow and can only be kept in check by pruning.

Process peppermint after harvest

Peppermint should not be left for long after harvest. The faster you process them, the higher the percentage of essential oils in the leaves.

Peppermint is at its most aromatic when you brew the freshly harvested leaves as a tea or add them to food.

Peppermint pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes and beverages. Dried, you can stock up on peppermint tea for the winter and don't have to buy ready-made tea. This is particularly advantageous because purchased peppermint tea is often contaminated with harmful substances.

Different ways to preserve peppermint

  • dry
  • Freeze
  • Put in oil
  • peppermint oil
  • Seasoned Salt
  • peppermint jelly
  • peppermint liqueur

tips and tricks

Peppermint is a universal herb that you can use for many things. Peppermint oil is known for its healing effects on headaches. It even scares mice away if you put a few drops in the mouse holes.

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Category:

Vegetable garden