[spongebob]

hi all

we grow mint in a pot

but find that the dryed mint from shops is stronger why is this

i like to have ago at drying my own to see if this in hance the flavour

any ideas on best ways of doing this

[sawnee]

There are soooooooo many different types of mint, some are better for some things ie teas, drying, jellies etc
Its just a matter of finding the right one for what you want 

[mumofstig]

Drying strengthens the flavour of most herbs.
In greek and turkish cooking they use the dried and/or fresh each for it's own taste as they are so different.
Just cut your herbs early in the morning and hang in bunches, upside down, somewhere dry untill they are well dried. Must admit i do mine in the shed and it didn't work very well last year as it stayed quite damp all 'summer'

[Ice]

I'm guessing that it is the loss of water that intensifies the flavour.  When I use fresh mint I sometimes add dried too as it gives the food an extra dimension.

[LivvyW]

I lay the leaves out on kitchen paper and leave on the top of the range overnight. Crispy by morning. Then i put a couple of spoonfuls into a jar of sugar and have had mint sugar for sprinkling on fruit salad. Definitly gets stronger.

I've also used the microwave to dry herbs quickly. Lay on kitchen paper and give it 10 - 20 second blasts until it goes crispy.  I find if you hang herbs up to dry slowly, they can become a bit dusty, puts me off a bit.

[Bombers]

I lay the leaves out on kitchen paper and leave on the top of the range overnight. Crispy by morning. Then i put a couple of spoonfuls into a jar of sugar and have had mint sugar for sprinkling on fruit salad. Definitly gets stronger.

ooow. what a lovely idea. I've never tried that!

[sunshineband]

I lay the leaves out on kitchen paper and leave on the top of the range overnight. Crispy by morning. Then i put a couple of spoonfuls into a jar of sugar and have had mint sugar for sprinkling on fruit salad. Definitly gets stronger.

I've also used the microwave to dry herbs quickly. Lay on kitchen paper and give it 10 - 20 second blasts until it goes crispy.  I find if you hang herbs up to dry slowly, they can become a bit dusty, puts me off a bit.

Love the sound of this -- it'll go down well with the  kids when we have some fruit to put it on in the summer. Thanks for the tip, LivvyW

[woodburner]

I'm with sawnee on this, as well as the effect of drying. Even when fresh one mint can be stronger than another as well as having different accents to the flavour eg peppermint spearmint gingermint.

[spongebob]

thanks for the ideas

love the sugar idea 

i will have ago a drying some  over night

[Paul Plots]

Do you think sticking mint under the grill would work?
Or would I end up with char-grilled mint even if I kept and eye on it?

I've got a feeling the microwave method might lead to a small fire in my hands!!

And......what about spearmint and pineapple mint - same thing?

I have both but, apart from pinching it for the waft as I walk by in the summer , it is not used for anything much.

[iwantanallotment]

If you have it on a LOW grill Learner, it should be fine.
You don't want it scorched, just dried out. Make sure it's dead flat - any sticky up bits will burn. Personally I think the oven would be better - less of a direct heat.
If you want to use it fresh (as I do) just use more of it. Some varieties are stronger than others, so just experiment

New potato season is coming up............and then peas...must have mint!

[sunshineband]

Do you think sticking mint under the grill would work?
Or would I end up with char-grilled mint even if I kept and eye on it?

I've got a feeling the microwave method might lead to a small fire in my hands!!

And......what about spearmint and pineapple mint - same thing?

I have both but, apart from pinching it for the waft as I walk by in the summer , it is not used for anything much.

Yes it would burn, and no doubt cause yet another blaze Learner --- be careful, you  don't want further hair being lost

[LivvyW]

Ooh glad you like the ideas! Learner, I'd imagine a grill may just toast it!  Long slow heat works best for all herbs.  Not sure how the microwave works so well, but it does. Just be sure to do it in short blasts (10 seconds) and keep checking it.

Pineapple mint sugar sounds fab, spearmint too!

I had loads of mint last year and googled for a few ideas, mint sugar was one, the other best one was mint and choc chip icecreammmmmm.  Will try it this summer.

Or Mojitos (per one)

3 fresh mint sprigs
2 tsp sugar
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 1/2 oz light rum
club soda

In a tall thin glass, crush part of the mint with a fork to coat the inside. Add the sugar and lime juice and stir thoroughly. Top with ice. Add rum and mix. Top off with chilled club soda . Add a lime slice and the remaining mint, and serve. 

Don't just give it a squeeze as you past, even better when you use it up.

[Paul Plots]

Do you think sticking mint under the grill would work?
Or would I end up with char-grilled mint even if I kept and eye on it?

I've got a feeling the microwave method might lead to a small fire in my hands!!

And......what about spearmint and pineapple mint - same thing?

I have both but, apart from pinching it for the waft as I walk by in the summer , it is not used for anything much.

Yes it would burn, and no doubt cause yet another blaze Learner --- be careful, you  don't want further hair being lost

No..... let's not mention the hair!!

I didn't know my new PC had one of those web-cam thingies. Are you really able to see me??

[sunshineband]

You should always try to look your best, Learner  just in case