How to Harvest Mint Leaves: 4 Ways to Use Fresh Mint

Mint is a popular, aromatic herb in the Mentha family of plants. With hundreds of varieties grown around the world, this fast-growing crop is used for culinary purposes and in health and beauty products, gum, and candies. From well-known varieties of mint like peppermint and spearmint to specialties like chocolate mint, pineapple mint, or apple mint, mint plants are an essential part of any herb garden. This perennial herb is best added at the end of cooking, as excessive heat will deplete the mint flavor contained in the leaves.

Consider the following tips for harvesting fresh mint.

1. 1. Timing: You can collect fresh mint leaves at any time, but the optimal harvesting time is after the plant has reached four inches in height and just before it starts flowering (about halfway through the growing season). If you keep mint indoors, you can continually prune your mint plant so the growing season lasts year-round. The essential oils that give the herb its flavor are at their highest concentration in the morning, so it’s best to harvest mint leaves early in the day.
2. 2. Technique: Pluck the leaves directly off the stems, or cut mint sprigs just above the leaf nodes where new leaves emerge from the stem.
3. 3. Frequency: Harvesting mint frequently helps to keep your mint focused on regrowing rather than spreading like wildfire, so it’s a good way to keep these fast-growing plants in check.
4. 4. Precautions: Take care not to harvest more than two thirds from a single plant to avoid shocking the growing mint plant. If you are using shears or scissors to harvest mint leaves, keep the blades clean to minimize the chance of transmitting plant diseases to your mint.

Consider a few ways to use fresh mint immediately.

1. 1. Mint tea: Simply bring a pot of water to boil and place some washed mint leaves—either whole or chopped—in a mug or teapot. Add the hot water and steep for four to five minutes. Strain the mint leaves and add honey or other sweeteners to taste.
2. 2. Mojito cocktail: This classic cocktail is made with muddled mint, sugar, rum, soda water, lime juice, and fresh lime. Finish the cocktail with lime slices and extra mint leaves as garnishes.
3. 3. Fruit salad: Garnish fruit salads with chopped mint leaves for a burst of flavor.
4. 4. Mint pesto: This Mediterranean take on Italian pesto includes walnuts, fresh mint, lemon juice, olive oil, feta, salt, and black pepper.

There are a few ways to store mint for short-term and long-term use.

1. 1. In the refrigerator: For the best results, store freshly harvested mint in the refrigerator. Wrap mint sprigs in a damp paper towel and place them in an unsealed plastic bag or tin foil wrap in the fridge. When stored properly, your mint should last anywhere from three to fourteen days.
2. 2. With a dehydrator: Set your dehydrator to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and dehydrate bright green leaves for roughly an hour. Dried mint leaves can last several months when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
3. 3. In the freezer: Chop mint leaves into small pieces and place some of the chopped mint (about one teaspoon) into each section of an ice cube tray. Fill the tray with water and freeze it. Use mint ice cubes to cool and flavor teas and soups, or thaw and strain them to use the fresh mint for general use. Freeze mint to enjoy your harvest for several months.

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