Organic Mentha piperita

Peppermint is a perennial aromatic plant that can be grown in the ground or in a pot. It has leaves with a peppery scent that, when finely chopped, will flavor your raw vegetables, grilled dishes, sauces, and desserts. It is not demanding and easy to grow, and can be sown from March to July for a summer harvest.

Mint is an aromatic bushy plant with highly fragrant foliage. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, like lemon balm. Preferably plant it in partial shade, although it can practically grow anywhere. It is a perennial plant that will be cultivated for two or three years because after that it tends to exhaust itself and become less productive. Choose carefully where you want to sow it: mint spreads very quickly thanks to its trailing roots. You can also grow it in a pot, which allows you to control its spread. Mint is known to repel unwanted insects in the garden, such as aphids and ants, as well as some rodents. Sowing can be done from March to July. You can harvest the leaves throughout the following year, mainly from March to October.

There are many varieties of mint, the most well-known being spearmint, peppermint, pennyroyal, and lemon balm. Depending on the varieties, the leaves will offer you a range of aromas. In cooking, use them from appetizers to desserts, to flavor salads and raw vegetables, summer grills, yoghurt-based sauces, or fruits. The leaves are also delicious in infusions, 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. Preferably harvest in the morning to fully enjoy the aromatic qualities of mint. If you want to dry the leaves, pick the stems before flowering.

Storage: It is ideal to consume freshly cut leaves. If you are not using fresh leaves, dry the stems and store the leaves in a tightly closed jar, away from light.

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