Mint Leaf Uses

When picking mint, choose the younger, smaller leaves for the sharpest taste.

Mint is multi-purpose herb that offers a variety of uses in both cooking and medicine. Mint is easy to cultivate in a home herb garden, although it can also be purchased dried or fresh, or harvested wild. The mint leaf's cool aftertaste makes it a natural choice for summer drinks and to add a fresh note to many dishes. Does this Spark an idea?

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Cooking and Baking
- Mint is often used as a garnish in cooking, to add a splash of color and a distinctive tangy yet sweet flavor to dishes. A mint sauce is traditionally paired with lamb, and the leaves add a complimentary flavor note to pork as well. Mint is more often used in desserts; such as in mint ice cream, sorbet or sherbet and mint chocolate cake. Mint is also used as flavoring in many types of candies and sweets.
Medicinal
- As well as being used in cooking and baking, mint offers a number of medicinal properties. Mint can be used to relieve indigestion, an upset stomach, menstrual cramps, colic and headaches. Mint also works as an appetite stimulant if taken before eating. The simplest way to prepare mint for medicinal use is to make a tea out of the dried leaves, although the leaves can also be eaten fresh following a meal to help with digestion.
Drinks
- Due to its sweet and sharp flavor, mint has found its way in many cocktails and summer drinks. Mint juleps are a summer staple in the South, as are iced and sweet teas that use mint leaves as a colorful garnish. Although the mint julep is the most well-known cocktail, mint is also a staple ingredient in mai tais and mojitos, where it's paired with citrus notes.
Other Uses
- Aside from its uses in cooking, garnishing, and medicine, mint has a few non-traditional uses as well. A fresh mint face wash can be prepared by crushing mint leaves into a bowl of cool water, and the same liquid works as a foot bath or hand wash. Mint can also be used as a natural mouthwash by brewing the fresh leaves, then chilling before use. To add a fresh scent to your home, drop a few fresh mint leaves in a glass of water and leave it out.