Mint

Description

There are more than 600 varieties of this hardy perennial herb, which is so vigorous that it crosses spontaneously and gives rise to ever new varieties. Mint is so vital that it can even become a weed, so that, if little space is available, it is best to sink it into the ground in its pot or at any rate to contain its roots with stones driven deep into the soil. Depending on the species to which it belongs, a mint plant may be from a few tens of centimetres to almost a metre tall, or it may have a creeping habit. Upright varieties should be pruned often to keep the clumps compact and renew growth; creeping ones are perfectly suited to forming fragrant lawns.

Leaves

Mint leaves are oval, more rarely round, green, but also variegated with cream or purple edges, always deeply veined.

Flowers

The small flowers of mint, mauve or lilac in colour, are gathered in terminal spikes and bloom in summer.

Exposure

Mint grows well both in half shade and in full sun.

Propagation

The simplest method of propagation is to divide the clumps in spring or autumn, but the cuttings method usually gives good results too; if you want to sow some particular variety, this must be done in spring.

Harvesting

The leaves should be picked shortly before the flowers appear.

Storage

Mint sprigs are usually dried, but they can also be frozen.

Properties

IN THE KITCHEN: The aroma of mint, unmistakable and penetrating, is especially appreciated in summer, when it becomes the main ingredient of refreshing syrups and teas; the leaves are also used to flavour vegetables or in chocolate desserts.

Health

The well-known peppermint, Mentha piperita, has digestive, antispasmodic and antiseptic properties: the infusion obtained by placing a few grams of dried or fresh leaves in a small cup of water, possibly mixed with lemon verbena, lime blossom or chamomile, is a good digestive. Migraine sufferers can benefit from mint in two ways: by placing on the painful spot a warm compress of leaves boiled in very little water and wrapped in a small cloth, or by drinking the usual tea, nice and hot. Mint gargles also relieve sore throats.

Curiosity

This highly fragrant herb has always been a symbol of hospitality, and the Latin poet Ovid tells how two humble peasants, rich in ancient culture, rubbed their kitchen table with mint leaves to give it a pleasant scent before serving lunch to their guests on it. In times past it was common practice to scatter fragrant herbs in wardrobes and in the rooms of the house, as is done today with deodorants, and mint was much used for this purpose. Finally, it seems that the strong peppermint liqueur, still widespread throughout Europe and distilled in many monasteries, originated in the Middle Ages, when it was produced to purify water by adding a few drops of it.