Drying Mint for the Winter

This video covers identifying, harvesting, drying, and putting away peppermint for the winter. It is uplifting to the spirit to be able to do this for yourself.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• mint
• herbs
• tea
• herbal
• peppermint
• dehydrating
• medicine

[howardschechter]

I'm told there are about 160 varieties of mint in the U.S. but they all have opposing leaves and a square stem. Personally, I grow peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, lemon balm, and catnip. They all seem to dry the same.

[howardschechter]

The ideal situation is to harvest it just before flowers form as that is when the mint potency is highest. Not a problem though if it's got flowers and you can leave them to dry or trim them if you prefer. I'm doing my first cutting (harvest) right now in Massachusetts and there will be two more before frost takes them again.

[ritterdeshimmels]

smellst like pizza!

[elicente]

Great video!

[yeahitsk]

Thanks for posting. I did not realize that the different types of mint shouldn't be mixed.  Great idea with the bag as well.

[metalbeast]

I'm growing mint for the first time right now and I'm not sure how to clip it. Where on the plant do I make the cut when clipping mint to use? How much should I leave behind? Do I have to clip it all at once and dry it or can I just clip a bit when I want it and use it fresh? Thanks for the help and the great video!

[m0o9i]

should i wash the mint befor i dry it

[hnovo4]

How long should herbs dry this way? Can you dry any herb this way? Chamomile? Basil?

[lilaznbeng]

i have a a different type of ming its definately mint though do all mints dry the same?

[thepettyfan]

Nice, helpful video. A question though: do I need to trim off any flowers from the mint plant to ensure it keeps producing?