How to store fresh mint in the refrigerator for the winter: is it possible to freeze

The fragrant plant is grown for food, medicinal purposes, for perfumes and as an ornamental crop. While in the flowering phase, mint exudes a soothing scent that promotes relaxation. Planting a single root will provide you with a harvest for the next season, sufficient for fresh consumption and harvesting for future use. By figuring out how to store mint, you'll provide your family with a unique spice and tea brew for the whole winter.

Features of mint storage

The storage conditions of mint determine the presence of healing characteristics and aroma in it. In order to harvest grass for a long time, it can be dried or frozen.Until recently, drying was considered the only way to preserve the culture. However, when frozen, the maximum amount of useful substances, the original taste and bright smell remain in the plant.

Preparation of raw materials

Mint cutting for the purpose of harvesting begins at the end of June and continues until autumn:

• harvest time is determined by the beginning of flowering;
• the best is considered the raw materials of plants of the second or third year;
• collecting plants is recommended in the morning and evening hours, in the absence of dew, in warm, dry weather;
• it is necessary to cut off a third of the branch, because essential oils and other active substances are concentrated in leaves, flowers, stem tops.

The remaining stalk will have fresh growth before the end of the season.

How to store fresh mint

For a week, fresh mint will keep well in the refrigerator. To do this, the branches are wrapped in a moistened towel or placed in a container. If you want to put mint in a plastic bag, you need to make sure that air does not enter the container.

Drying mint

Drying mint will not require much effort and time:

• cut stems are easier to keep tied up in bunches that are hung in a shaded, ventilated area;
• it is proposed to experiment and add sprigs of other herbs to the collection, giving various shades of mint drinks;
• If cut plants are stacked to dry on pallets, the layers should not be thick. Raw materials are stirred regularly.

The readiness is determined by the leaves - if they are easily separated from the stem and crumble, it's time to chop the mint and store it in paper bags and glass jars.

Plant freezing

In order to have fragrant greens on the table all year round, you need to pay attention to winter freezing. Today, there are several options for freezing. At the same time, the color of the leaves, fresh taste and useful characteristics are preserved. Whole leaves are used for brewing tea, decorating dishes, making desserts, cocktails. Shredded billet is suitable for sauces and pastries.

Whole leaves

Cut greens are placed for five minutes in cold water, regardless of the place of growth, washed under the tap and laid out in a thin layer on towels. It will take half an hour to get rid of excess moisture. The process can be accelerated by mixing the raw materials.

Dried mint is sorted: large, he althy leaves and the upper part of the shoots are placed in small jars or plastic containers.Use plastic bags incorrectly: the workpiece becomes too fragile. The filled container goes to the freezer.

Whole branches

It is not forbidden to freeze stems with leaves. A dense package is stuffed with portioned bunches of mint, carefully folded into a tube and placed in a freezer. During the procedure, you need to monitor the safety of the leaves.

Chopped

Mint leaves are useful in the winter in crushed or pureed form. It is convenient to perform such freezing in special mini-forms or liners from under assorted sweets. Leaves are cut off from the washed branches and left for 10 minutes to dry. The prepared raw material is finely chopped with a knife or crushed in a blender. The resulting puree is placed in molds and placed in the freezer.The frozen workpiece is poured into bags of dense polyethylene and sealed hermetically.

In ice cubes

To freeze mint leaves in ice cubes, you need to get silicone molds or a special container. Tender leaves and tops of stems are laid out in the cells in the amount of 4-6 pieces and poured with chilled boiled water. The blanks are placed in the freezer for several hours, removed from the molds and transferred to plastic bags. This method of freezing allows you to keep the leaves whole, which looks beneficial and elegant in various drinks.

Use blanks:

• Leaves as a whole and the tops of the shoots are suitable as tea brewing, the basis of fragrant, cooling drinks, compotes, cocktails. Such a preparation is useful as an additive to vegetable stews, stews and poultry, salads, first courses, cereal and cottage cheese casseroles, cheesecakes.
• Sprigs are used as an ingredient in meat and vegetable rolls, steamed or baked in foil.
• Ice cubes are excellent in refreshing drinks, such blanks are especially relevant for Mojitos.
• Crushed mint flavors all kinds of sauces, pastries, fruit or vegetable salads.

No matter how you store your mint, this herb will bring benefits and leave a pleasant taste experience.

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