How to Crush Mint

Mint leaves are a perfect addition to light meals and drinks.

Mint gets its green color from chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is bitter. If the mint leaf is handled roughly or cut, an unpleasant or grassy taste will flourish, ruining the drink or dish. However, if the leaf is crushed or bruised, then the powerful mint oil will blossom on the palate. It is the mint oil that flavors the dish. Not every kitchen utensil is appropriate to crush mint. Sometimes a hand is all that is needed. Does this Spark an idea?

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A hand or a plastic container bag

Instructions

Crush mint
- 1
  
  Place a handful of mint in the palm of one hand or in a plastic container bag.
- 2
  
  Close the hand into a fist very firmly. Do not use the fingernails. If using a plastic container bag, place the mint in the bag and close securely. Whack the bag with the back of a wooden spoon several times.
- 3
  
  Remove leaves from hand or container bag and use right away to enjoy full essence of mint oils.

Tips & Warnings

Try mixing crushed mint leaves with granulated sugar for a sweet tea treat.
Place crushed leaves in bourbon or another alcohol to extract more of the mint oil flavor.
If you use your hand to crush mint, or touch the mint with your fingers, do not touch your face or an open wound until they are thoroughly cleansed from mint oil, as it will sting the eye and broken skin.