Peppermint - Mentha piperita

Mentha piperita, or peppermint, bears pointed, dark-coloured leaves that emit a strong fragrance. It is rich in menthol. This hardy and perennial herbaceous plant can be grown in the ground or in a pot. It will reach a height of 40 to 60cm (16 to 24in). Its leaves can be used to flavour salads, grilled dishes, sauces, desserts, or infusions. Plant in spring or autumn and harvest from March to October.

Mint is an aromatic bushy plant with highly fragrant foliage. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, like lemon balm. Ideally, plant it in a semi-shaded area, although mint thrives almost anywhere. This perennial plant should be grown for two or three years; after that, it tends to become less productive. Carefully choose the place where you want to plant it, as mint spreads very quickly with its trailing roots. You can also grow it in a pot, which helps you to control its spread. It is ideal for vegetable gardens, as mint is known to repel unwanted insects from the garden, such as aphids and ants, as well as certain rodents. Leaf harvesting can be done throughout the year, mainly from March to October.

There are many varieties of mint, the most well-known being green mint, peppermint, pennyroyal mint, and lemon mint. Depending on the variety, the leaves will provide you with a whole range of fragrances. In cooking, use them from appetisers to desserts, to flavour salads and raw vegetables, summer grills, yogurt-based sauces, or fruits. The leaves are also delicious in tea or hot chocolate.

Harvest: harvest the leaves as you need them. Choose the largest leaves and cut the entire stem to encourage regrowth. Ideally, harvest in the morning to make the most of the mint's aromatic qualities. If you want to dry the leaves, pick the stems before flowering.

Storage: ideally, consume the freshly cut leaves. If you do not use the fresh leaves, dry the stems, and store the leaves in a tightly closed jar, away from light.

Gardener's tip: if you want to plant mint in the vegetable garden while limiting its spread, plant it in a pot and bury the pot in the middle of your garden. Choose a large enough pot. Divide the clumps regularly, in autumn or spring.