How to dry mint in the oven. How to dry mint at home for making tea: tips

In this article, you will learn how to properly collect, dry and store mint, so that it retains all its beneficial properties and aromas as much as possible.

Properties and types of mint

Mint is one of the most widely used in folk and official medicine plants. The aroma of mint, cold, fresh and spicy - her business card, by it the plant can be unmistakably distinguished by both an adult and a child. The plant is used:

In medicine;
Cooking;
Cosmetology;
Perfumes;
Chemical industry;
production of alcohol;
Sometimes in the vet.

Mint - useful properties and uses:

Mint - perennial family of yasnotkovye. She has many varieties:

Lugovaya;
Bolotnaya;
Japanese;
wild;
Lemon;
Apple;
Water.

Did you know how many varieties of MINT?

But most often, peppermint is used for tea drinking and the treatment of various disorders.

What are the benefits of mint?

The benefits of this plant are due to its composition:

Essential oil;
Tannins;
Flavonoids;
bitterness;,
Menthol;
Vitamins A, B, C;
Phosphorus;
Copper;
Potassium;
Magnesium;
Calcium;
Iron;
Zinc and other trace elements.

REFERENCE: Some housewives grind mint with sugar and get original jam.

Most known properties mint:

Cleansing;
Decongestants;
Astringents;
expectorants;
Cholagogue;
Anti-inflammatory;
antispasmodic qualities.

It has a wide range of effects:

It is used as a sleeping pill in the composition of tea;
Reduces pressure;
Treats broncho-pulmonary and catarrhal diseases;
Regulates heart rate;
Helps with headaches and migraines;
Improves brain function;
Stops diarrhea, vomiting and nausea;
Eliminates sweaty feet;
Relieves skin itching;
Removes acne and pimples;
Narrows pores;
Relieves toothache;
Gently stops bulimia, relieves depression, relieves fatigue;
Benefits the female body during menopause due to the content of phytoestrogen;
Strengthens hair, stops split ends, restores shine and stimulates hair growth.

Unusual properties of mint herb:

To whom is mint contraindicated?

It is undesirable to use mint:

Hypotonic patients;
People with impaired kidney and liver function;
At varicose veins veins;
Children under 5 years old;

For men: a pronounced sedative effect can temporarily deprive male power.

Pregnant women because of the risk of miscarriage;
lactating;
Suffering from infertility;
Those who have elevated level estrogen in the body;
With individual intolerance.

How to collect mint

mint preserves useful qualities both fresh and dried. You can buy it in a supermarket or pharmacy, but it is better to prepare it yourself by collecting it in a rural area away from roads or growing it on a plot.

IMPORTANT: Collect mint in dry weather in the morning before the onset of heat. It is not necessary to cut the plant at the root, so as not to deprive it of strength for new growth. It is enough to separate its upper third or half with a sharp knife or scissors.

What plants are suitable for drying

Only adult intact plants are suitable for harvesting.

We dry mint correctly: harvesting dates

In nature, the culture grows everywhere in forests and meadows; its collection is relevant before flowering begins in the first months of summer. It is believed that mint gains maximum useful properties in the second or third year. And if you cut only the tops of the plant in June, then in July you can harvest a second crop. On an industrial scale, this method of harvesting is used.

The collected mint is washed in cold water, gently dry with paper towels and proceed to harvesting. A centrifuge can also be used to drain the collected raw materials.

Natural air drying

Fresh mint is dried in small bunches of 3-4 sprigs, collected heads down, in a well-ventilated area without direct sunlight. Bouquets are tied with twine or thick thread and hung so that there is enough space between them. If the weather is clear, dry and sunny outside, the raw material will be ready in a week.

IMPORTANT: The room should not be cold, at least +20 ° C, otherwise the mint will not dry out, and mold will appear on it.

You can dry the grass over a Russian stove, loosely wrapping the bundles with thin paper to preserve the color. With this method of drying useful material concentrated in the leaves. When they begin to easily break off from the stem, drying can be considered finished. The leaves are separated from the stems, crushed and put away for storage.

Drying in the microwave

Sometimes it is not possible to dry mint naturally due to high humidity, at which airing will lead to rotting of plants. In this case, you can use the microwave oven.

ATTENTION: With this method of drying, you must use a timer.

Mint leaves are laid out on paper one at a time. thin layer and turn on the stove for 10 seconds. After that, check the degree of readiness of the herb and, if necessary, repeat the 10-second exposure interval. right amount once. The grass will dry out and retain a bright green color.

Drying in the oven

This method takes more time, but subject to the conditions, mint will save both aroma and color, and all useful properties. The oven is turned on at minimum power, so that the temperature is not higher than +60 ° C.

Once the oven has warmed up, turn it off.

Mint does not need to be fried, it is simply kept in a heated oven.

The raw materials are laid out in a single layer on a pallet covered with parchment paper, and regularly checked to ensure that the leaves do not curl and their edges do not rise. Drying time is about 20 minutes.

Drying with a food dehydrator

The dehydrator is a special kitchen appliance to remove moisture from fruits and vegetables. It is shaped like a small oven with several drawers.

REFERENCE: Dehydrators are convection and infrared. For drying herbs, it is recommended to use infrared. They are more expensive than convection ones, but consume less energy and dry food better. Also, dehydrators are divided into vertical and horizontal according to the method of ventilation.

Mint is laid out in a thin layer on trays, unused trays are removed, the dehydrator is switched on to the weakest mode, and drying continues until the leaves become crumbly, remaining green.

Drying with a dehumidifier

Mint is laid out on mesh surfaces that allow air to circulate from above and below, the dehumidifier is turned on at low power, and after two days the raw material is ready for storage.

IMPORTANT: There should not be anything in the room that increases the humidity of the air, otherwise the mint will become damp and covered with mold.

Is speed drying allowed?

In difficult climatic conditions when it is not possible to dry the mint using the methods described above, you can use an electric dryer. The temperature should not exceed +30 o C. It is necessary to carefully monitor the preservation of taste and type of products.

Storing dried mint

The best way to store herbs containing essential oils, glass jars with a ground-in lid or ceramic containers are considered. They do not absorb nutrients and do not let in moisture. Paper bags, wooden utensils and fabric bags are a little inferior to them in terms of reliability. But plastic, cellophane and polyethylene are not recommended for storing dried herbs.

Containers with dried grass should be stored in a dark, cool place away from heat sources. It is advisable to mark the date of packaging on the lid, since most herbs in dried form do not last longer than two years.

Dried Mint Alternative: Can You Store Fresh Mint?

Fresh mint wilts quickly, but there are several ways to store fresh mint:

You can extend its life a little by putting cut plants in a glass of clean water or wrapped in a wet towel. If you change the water in time and moisten the fabric, the mint will last for several days;
Mint can also be stored in the refrigerator. First, it should be washed and dried well, and then placed in an airtight container;
If fresh mint is placed in the freezer, it will remain in excellent condition for as long as you like;
You can also make mint ice: 2-3 leaves for each cell of the ice cube and use a cube for a glass of tea or cocktail.

Use of mint in winter

Most often in winter, mint is used to add to tea or in medicinal purposes. Good baths with the addition of mint, hair rinses, aromatization of rooms.

So, if you properly collect, dry and store mint, then its reserves will be beneficial and enjoyable. all year round. It is important to remember the contraindications of mint and observe the measure in its use.

Mint jam:

Probably, there is not a single person who would not be familiar with mint. Many, resting on a lake or on a river, tear whole bouquets of this stocky grass in order to prepare it for future use. True, this mint is wild-growing, and it is not so rich medicinal properties, like pepper, which is cultivated specially.

And if possible, it is better to harvest peppermint. Peppermint is a perennial plant. It grows, taking large areas, multiplying by a rhizome, which is located close to the surface of the earth and gives new sprouts. And then from such thickets during flowering comes a strong pleasant "mint" aroma.

How to collect and dry mint

Most essential oils are found in flowers. So most the best time for harvesting mint, it's time for its flowering, which falls on July - early August. Then the plant is completely covered fragrant flowers and become more useful.

The choice of where to harvest mint is also very important. Like others medicinal plants Mint is not harvested near roads, freeways, factories, or garbage dumps. To collect mint, you need to choose ecologically clean areas.

Mint sprigs should be cut along with the flowers.. To do this, choose dry sunny weather, when the dew has already dried on the grass. The branches are not washed before drying, but if the plant is covered with dust, then it must be rinsed with a hose or at least from a watering can, and then allowed to dry well. If you dry mint even with a hint of moisture, then its branches will darken, become moldy and disappear.

Cut mint stalks should be removed as soon as possible in the shade so that the essential oils do not evaporate.

If you need to dry mint with sprigs, then the cut stems are collected in a loose bundle, tied, and then hung with inflorescences down on strings. And in this form, they are dried under a canopy or in the attic, but always with good air circulation.

If you need to dry only the leaves, then they are cut off at the very beginning of flowering, when the first buds appear. Leaves with young plant do not prepare, because they quickly lose their flavor. Spring mint is suitable only for brewing tea (it is used fresh).

To dry mint leaves, they are laid out in a shaded place on clean paper or cloth and dried for several days, periodically turning over to prevent decay from moisture. Otherwise, the leaves darken, become moldy and are no longer suitable for further storage and use.

Some types of herbs can be dried in the oven, but this does not apply to mint, because mint dried in the oven loses essential oils and its specific aroma. For the same reason, it is undesirable to dry mint near radiators and stoves.

How to store mint

Dried mint bunches are stored in air-permeable canvas bags or in cardboard boxes.

You can, before storing mint, peel the leaves from the branches and put them in glass jar with lid.

Mint - the most valuable medicinal plant with an unsurpassed aroma. It is used as a stimulant, an assistant in the treatment of stomach diseases, fragrant spices in drinks and food. In order for mint to please you in winter, the grass should be properly harvested. To preserve nutrients and vitamins, it is better to freeze the plant, but you can also dry this fragrant culture.

Rules for collecting mint for winter harvesting

To harvest mint, you should follow the basic rules for collecting:

Advice. Of course, you should not harvest mint near roads or livestock farms. Also, you must be sure that the area is not treated with chemicals or fertilizers. Otherwise, instead of a useful remedy, you can get a harmful one.

For the collected mint, you can organize a short-term storage place in the refrigerator. Wrap leaves or shoots in dry paper napkins and place in a resealable container or plastic bag. This method will preserve the aroma and taste qualities mint for about 1 month. Then parts of the plant will darken, become limp and lose their medicinal properties. For longer storage, there are other options.

How to freeze mint for the winter

For long-term freezing to be successful, first of all, after cutting or buying mint, place it in water for a few minutes. For these purposes, you can use a large shallow container. After that, rinse the greens under running water, shake off and place in a single layer on a dry towel. Do not cover the top with anything. Ted the grass periodically. It will take about half an hour for the plants to dry.

Advice. For more long term you can’t leave the washed mint - it will fade and become unsuitable for freezing.

Advice. Delayed young plant parts should be frozen separately. They are distinguished by a more subtle and delicate aroma and taste, therefore they have a slightly different purpose in cooking.

Other methods of long-term freezing differ little from those described according to the algorithm of actions:

whole plants can also be frozen in bags: the stem will withstand the load, if not crushed and broken before being sent to the freezer;
you can finely chop the plant before freezing;
another option is a slurry of mint ground in a blender, an excellent ingredient for baking;
for cocktails, you can make frozen tender mint leaves in ice cubes. To do this, use a standard freezing of water in silicone containers.

Advice. Be sure to sign the contents of the freeze so that you don’t get confused in whitish packages in winter.

How to dry mint for the winter

Mint is qualitatively dried only in a suspended state. Usually, a balcony, attic or veranda is used for these purposes. During the process, it is important to observe the following conditions:

soak the herb in water after picking room temperature for 10-15 minutes, and then thoroughly wash under running water;
sort and remove damaged copies;
choose a dry and well-ventilated area. The place for drying should not fall under direct sunlight;
divide the stems into bunches of equal size and tie each of them;
hang the mint leaves down.

Advice. Even when following the drying technology, charm may appear in the beams. Periodically inspect the mint, if you find characteristic features delete branches.

To dry the leaves separately from the stem, use another method:

dried mint

place the leaves evenly on a clean piece of cloth or paper;
send to a dark place;
Stir the mint leaves from time to time to prevent contention.

You can also dry mint using the express method, in the oven. Parts of the plant should also be evenly distributed over a sheet covered with paper. This method has a significant disadvantage - the characteristic aroma will disappear. Only natural drying will retain all the useful and tasty features of a mint bouquet.

How to save mint: video

Mint tea is a fragrant and tasty drink that has many useful properties. In order to enjoy it at any time of the year, and to save as much as possible useful composition, it is important to know how to properly collect and dry mint at home.

In the oven you need to provide optimum temperature(65º - 100º). This is necessary in order not to overdry the mint leaves. In addition, it is desirable to cover the baking sheet with parchment. On average, the process will take you 15-20 minutes.

Mint processing in an electric dryer should take place in stages:

Lay out the leaves in one layer. Thanks to this, the plant will dry evenly.
Choose the smallest temperature regime. In order for the mint to dry out, you can use a minimum of heat.
Monitor the condition of dried leaves. It is very important to check the mint every few minutes. So, you will prevent it from fading and keep its natural green color.

Product storage rules

In order for mint to retain useful substances after drying, you must follow a few simple recommendations:

Choose the right storage container. A small glass jar or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids are best for this.
Try to keep the leaves intact. If you decide to crush the mint or grind it into a powder, then do so before using. So, you can preserve the aroma and useful composition of the product.
Check the mint periodically for moisture. If there is a need to dry the plant again, then use the same method that you used earlier.
Observe the storage periods. The optimal storage period for dried mint at home is 1 year. After that, its main properties are lost.

By following these tips, you will be able to brew aromatic and delicious tea from mint, as well as enrich your body with useful substances.

Mint for drying is harvested once a year, during its flowering period, the most active force: in June - July. If you collect younger plants, then after drying they will not retain their strength and full flavor. For drying, either the leaves alone or the leaves together with the stems are collected.

It is recommended to collect mint for drying, like anything else, away from gassed roads and polluted areas. You should also not collect mint, on the leaves of which there is still morning dew, you should let it dry, and only then proceed to collect the plant. After harvesting, mint should immediately be hidden from direct sunlight.

How to dry peppermint

If dried mint, collected with stalks, then it should be tied up in small bundles (in this case they will dry well) and hang to dry in a darkened well-ventilated room (balcony, attic, etc.).

If only mint leaves are dried, they should be laid out to dry on a clean cloth or paper in the shade. You should stir from time to time.

Dried mint can be crushed, or you can store whole leaves. For storage, you should pick up a jar with a tight lid and put it in a dark, cool place. Instead of a jar, you can also use linen (preferably cotton) bags.