Fresh Mint: Varieties, Health Benefits and Recipes
Fresh mint is available all year long and grows abundantly in the warm summer months. Mint not only smells great and adds lots of flavor to recipes, but also offers quite a few health benefits worth mentioning. It is widely used in toothpaste, medicines, antibacterials for infections, shampoos and more. It can also be taken to treat an upset stomach or help with heartburn. Scroll through the slideshow to learn more about five varieties of mint, then use it in your own kitchen in some of our delicious recipes.
Chocolate Mint
Chocolate mint offers a minty chocolate flavor, much like the classic Thin Mints Girl Scout cookie. Their stems tend to run rampantly over (and under) the soil, so it’s best to tuck chocolate mint into a pot to control its wandering ways.
Chocolate mint thrives alongside water gardens or in damp spots in the yard. Crush fresh leaves into a glass of ice water or add them to tea or coffee for a refreshing beverage. You can also dry mint leaves for flavoring desserts like ice cream, meringues, quick breads or cakes.
Mint Recipes
Can't get enough fresh mint? Check out some of our favorite mint recipes.
Fresh Fruit with Honey-Lime-Mint Dressing
Lamb Chops with Berry Mint Sauce
Green Pea Soup with Fresh Mint
Sources: USDA Library, Bonnie Plants