Herbs
Dried SpearmintDrying Time, Storage and Herbal Tea
Spearmint is a fresh herb, cool with a hint of sweetness. Its cooling bite is milder than peppermint, and it’s often used to decorate desserts and in mojitos.
Mint spreads quickly in a garden or planter. Dry what you pick, and you can use it all year for mint tea or as an accent in cooking. Add it to marinades or crumble it into ground meat for a Middle Eastern touch.
| Drying time | Storage | |
|---|---|---|
| Dry | 3–5 days | 6 months at room temperature |
Drying times assume drying during the day in sunny weather and bringing them in at night.
How to dry spearmint
- Wash and pat dry: Swish the sprigs in water and dry them thoroughly with paper towels.
- Lay out: Lay the whole sprigs on a basket without cutting and without overlapping.
- Dry: Mint loses its aroma easily. Avoid strong direct sun and dry it in a breezy spot in shade or part shade. Bring it in by evening.
Where and when to dry is covered in How to Dry Vegetables, and tools in Tools for Drying Vegetables.
When it’s done
Dry (3–5 days)
It’s done when the leaves have curled and crumble when rubbed between your fingers.
Day by day
Before drying
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Storage
- Room temperature: Strip the leaves from the stems and keep them in a jar or bag with a desiccant, somewhere cool and out of direct sun, for about 6 months. Crush the leaves just before using to bring out the aroma.
The aroma fades over time, so for the best flavor, use it within about 3 months. More in How to Store Dried Vegetables.
How to use it
- Mint tea: Blend it with other dried herbs, as in the recipe below.
- As an accent in cooking: Yogurt sauces, marinades, ground meat dishes (meatballs, kebabs), salads.
- In desserts: It goes well with chocolate and fruit, and can be mixed into cookie dough.
Recipe
Dried herb tea
Mix your favorite dried herbs for a homemade herbal tea.
Ingredients- Dried spearmint, dried rosemary and dried thyme, as much as you like
- Put the dried herbs in a teapot and pour boiling water over.
- Cover and steep for about 3 minutes. When it’s a nice color, pour into cups.
The longer it steeps, the stronger the aroma and flavor. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or have a medical condition, check with your doctor before drinking it regularly. See also dried rosemary and dried thyme.
