Can You Freeze Mint? Easy Guide to Freeze Mint

Name: Can You Freeze Mint? Easy Guide to Freeze Mint
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: Please check the end of the post for recipe ingredients.; If you don't find any, let me know in comments.

Ayub KhanandRehmat DietitianMarch 15, 2023Last Updated: April 12, 2023

6 minutes read

Table of Contents

In this article, you will know the answer to the query “Can You Freeze Mint?“.

Mint belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which also includes herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme.

Peppermint is the most popular mint, but other varieties include apple mint, orange mint, chocolate mint, and pineapple mint.

Heat and high humidity are the best conditions for growing mint.

Mint’s underground rhizomes spread, so gardeners remove them to prevent them from spreading.

On the other hand, this also prevents the plant from returning every year.

Fresh mint is best but dried or frozen mint can also be used.

Mint leaves can be frozen whole or chopped first, then placed on a tray and placed in the freezer.

You can use frozen mint to flavor tea, punch, and desserts such as ice cream.

We will explain how to freeze whole mint leaves in this article.

What’s the Difference Between Mint and Peppermint?

There are several ways to tell peppermint from mint, including their smell, taste, and appearance – as well as the way they grow.

While both mint and peppermint have strong aromas and flavors from essential oils, peppermint has a milder version.

Try eating a peppermint sprig after chewing fresh mint leaves to experience peppermint’s strength.

As a matter of appearance, peppermint has pointed leaves with purple stems, while mint has oval or round leaves with green stems.

Examining the roots and flowers of each will also help you tell them apart.

Peppermint, for example, has purple flowers and brown roots, while mint has bright green leaves with white petals.

The pattern of their growth can also be used to differentiate them.

In countries like the United States and Italy, peppermint grows wild, whereas mint grows as an annual plant in pots or gardens.

Tips on Choosing Mint

Herbs like mint have a fresh, sweet scent.

Peppermint is the most popular form of mint; other forms include spearmint, apple mint, orange mint, and chocolate mint.

You can freeze or dry mint for later use, but it is best used fresh.

Mint stems can be harvested by quickly pinching them off.

Just before the plant fully blooms, cut the whole plant and discard the lower leaves.

As a result, the taste is more intense and the growth is more intense.

When purchasing fresh leaves, choose those that are light green and do not show any signs of wilting or browning.

There should be no blemishes on the leaves or white powdery mildew.

The plant is old if it has those symptoms.

The best time to buy mint is during the cool season when it is more flavorful.

The best way to preserve the flavor of mint is to store it in the refrigerator, away from strong odors.

Does Freezing Affect Mint and Mint Leaves?

The taste and smell of mint can be diminished when frozen, but the plant can be frozen for a long time.

Fresh mint can be frozen rather than used immediately (which is best), but you should chop up the leaves before freezing them since whole leaves can stick together and become difficult to remove from the freezer.

As a result, freezing is a great way to preserve it for later use.

Mint in ice cube trays is a handy way to add mint flavor to dishes and creates a lovely addition to chilled beverages.

Freezing Mint vs Drying Mint

It is possible to preserve mint leaves for up to one year by drying them.

It is important, however, to maintain a low temperature between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as low humidity – preferably 70 percent or less.

The essential oils in fresh mint leaves will be destroyed by drying in an oven because of the higher temperature.

It is best to dry mint leaves on screens using dehydrator trays or to hang them on clean, non-rusting wires in a warm room.

To make sure both sides of the green leaves dry evenly, the leaves need to be turned frequently.

Mint can also be frozen for later use to preserve its taste and smell.

At a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit, frozen mint can keep its freshness and flavor for eight months.

After being frozen in this manner for a long time, the taste and smell of mint will be changed in some way.

How to Freeze Mint?

Mint leaves should be thoroughly washed before freezing.

Clean them with a soft brush or rub them under running water to remove dirt and insects. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel before storing them.

In order to freeze mint leaves whole, spread them on a baking sheet before placing them in the freezer.

Transfer the frozen food to an airtight container and then put it back in the freezer.

Mint should not be chopped or blended with other ingredients when frozen for later use.

Take only what is needed from the container when you are ready to cook.

It is also possible to freeze mints into ice cube trays for individual servings.

After the mint cubes have been frozen, place them in an airtight container and place them back in the freezer.

If you are cooking or preparing desserts, use your desired amount of mint and add it to a chilled beverage or food.

How to Thaw Frozen Mint?

Thawing frozen mint in the refrigerator is best, but you can also use cold water if you’re in a hurry.

It is best to thaw the mint at room temperature in a covered container in order to keep the aroma and flavor from escaping.

In a bowl of cold water, place the container with frozen mint and change the water every 15 minutes until it has thawed completely.

It may take three to four hours to completely thaw frozen mint leaves, depending on their volume.

You should prepare them overnight unless you really need them fast.

How to Use Thawed Mint in Recipes?

There are many ways to incorporate mint flavor into your cooking.

Here are some popular ways to incorporate it:

Mint leaves can be crushed or sliced to add flavor to beverages like iced tea, lemonade, and punch.

If you are making fresh raspberry or strawberry drinks, you may also use whole leaves – just add them at the last minute to avoid dilution.

Spread fresh mint leaves on cookies or cakes after grinding them with sugar and lime juice.

When creating refreshing desserts, you can mix them with oatmeal, chai tea, smoothies, and yogurt.

Once you’ve removed the seeds from the black pepper, add them to a container of fresh mint leaves and place them in the freezer.

Use the mixture as needed to add flavor.

Add chopped mint to potato salad, pasta salad, and vegetarian dishes after mixing with bacon or chives.

For extra flavor, you can also add it to hot appetizers such as cheese stuffed peppers and pizza.

How to Tell if Frozen Mint is Bad?

Remember that frozen mint won’t stay fresh forever – especially if it isn’t stored properly.

The following are some “tells” you can look for when determining if mint is spoiled:

Color changes – It may become slightly darker or lighter than when you first placed it inside the freezer.

When you take it out for preparation, you may notice it changing color.

Changes in taste and smell – Spoiled mint will also taste and smell different than fresh mint.

Additionally, the leaves may be slimy or soft to the touch.

Mold Growth – You should throw out moldy greens like mint immediately since they can cause serious infections if consumed.

Spoiled leaves – If mint leaves start to wilt and dry out, you should dispose of them as well.

Compared to the bright green shade you are familiar with, they may be dark brown or yellowish.

If this occurs, there’s a good chance it has already developed bacteria inside, which makes it unsafe to consume.

Conclusion

As a result, mint is one of the most refreshing herbs that you should have around.

It can be used to add flavor to a variety of recipes, beverages, and desserts.

Using the tips above, you can freeze it to keep it fresh.

With these steps, you will end up with tasty mint that will last for a long time.

Mint is refreshing, so enjoy it whenever you like.