How to Preserve Peppermint and Spearmint by Drying or Dehydrating
Peppermint and spearmint are easy to grow herbs. They spread quickly and can add aroma to any herb garden. Peppermint and spearmint can be used in cooking, teas, medicine, cosmetics and crafts. To preserve peppermint and spearmint for use during winter months, drying the mints is can be accomplished in the following methods. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Air Drying
Peppermint and spearmint is best air dried by hanging it upside down from the stem with the leaves in tact. The stems should be cut 5 inches above the surface of the ground to keep the plant healthy for the next growing season. Air drying can sometimes cause the leaves to brown. -
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Drying in a Dehydrator
Remove the leaves from the stem and place them on a drying tray. You may want to line the tray with plastic wrap prior to drying. This is the most effective way to dry peppermint and spearmint as the leaves retain their color best in this method. -
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Drying in the Oven
If you do not have a dehydrator, you can dry peppermint or spearmint in the oven by setting it to a very low temperature. The temperature should ideally be between 90 and 110 degrees. Lay the leaves out on a flat surface and place them in the oven checking them often.
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Comments
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It seems this article would be much more useful if you gave temperatures and time. The information about how to cut the stems to keep the plant healthy should not be hidden in the air drying section.
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This is a great page, glad I found it. I have a question about the plastic wrap however. Are you refering to surane wrap? Does that help the leaves not stick to anything?
