Today we talk about mint. Because we love tea and because this herb has multiple qualities and is ideal to have in the garden. Learn all about how to harvest mint in this article.
Not only is it very easy to care for, but it is hardy and does not require too complicated conditions. But we also like it because it has great healing properties and is very useful in the kitchen, both to prepare sauces and to decorate desserts.
The Mint Plant
The most popular variety is peppermint, which is the result of a cross between water mint and spearmint or mentha spicata. That is why it is a sterile variety because it is the product of this cross.
Peppermint has a stem and its characteristic deep green leaves, which are smooth, lanceolate, opposite, and stand out for their barely serrated edges. I recommend taking a close look at the leaves to discover a small discovery: when they are in the light, it is possible to see the small sachets of the essence, which are the ones that give the characteristic mint aroma.
Being a sterile plant, peppermint does not always have fruits and when it has them, they are quite basic and rudimentary. Something similar happens with the flowers, although they are always present. They are small and of a pale pink color that can turn to lilac although sometimes they are white. In all cases the calyx is bell-shaped.
As you can see above we have our mint in a pot of yogurt. It is a very easy plant to care for.
How to Harvest Mint
The main thing to keep in mind so as not to kill the plant or run the risk of disease is to use sharp scissors and disinfect them with alcohol before cutting the mint.
It is always good to know what mint looks like so you don’t make mistakes when harvesting. If you want to harvest the leaves, i.e., the edible part of the plant, you have to cut the stems almost flush and then separate the stems from the leaves with your hands and then leave them to dry in a dark and ventilated place.
Once dry, they acquire a pale green and soft color, at which time they can be stored in an airtight jar.
If what you want is to collect the mint flowers, then the plant should be cut at a slightly higher height.
