Mint leaves are available in hundreds of varieties all over the world. One cannot grow mint round the year, as it grows during the summers only. There are several ways in which you can store mint leaves for later use. Here are some tips on how can you freeze mint leaves for later use.
Mint is used to make different beverages, salads, soups, and various sweet and savory meals.
The different varieties of mint leaves, like peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, etcetera, are distinguished based on their smell and shape. Read on all about freezing mint leaves and FAQs related to it.
Contents
How Can You Freeze Mint Leaves Without Water?
You can easily freeze mint leaves without water for later use. To freeze mint leaves using this method, you need to pluck out the mint leaves from the stem. After that, put them in a zip lock back or any transparent bag. Do not overcrowd it, and place just one layer of the leaves in one bag. Pack it using a vacuum sealer and mark the date on it and use it before 6 months.
How Can You Freeze Mint Leaves in Ice Cubes?
Pluck out the fresh mint leaves from the stem and remove the damaged ones. Wash thoroughly and pat dry them on a clean towel. Chop the mint leaves and put them in the ice stray, filling about half of each compartment.
Now fill the ice tray with water and freeze. After it freezes, take out the ice cubes and store them in a zip lock bag or any airtight container. Label the date and do not forget to use it before three months.
How Can You Freeze Mint leaves for Smoothies?
There are several ways to store mint leaves for later use. Mint leaves go well with every kind of cuisine, and its flavor enhances the dish. Mint is a kind of flavor that goes well with sweet, savory as well as it tastes wonderful in several beverages. While making smoothies, you can pop in the frozen mint leaves in an ice cube or the ones without water. It will taste good either way.
How Can You Freeze Mint Leaves Whole?
Unlike freezing your extra mint leaves without water or in ice cubes, this process takes up a lot of time and effort. Now, prepare your mint leaves for freezing by removing the lower stem it. You just need two-third of the whole mint to freeze them. Now wash them thoroughly and pat dry them on a kitchen towel.
After this, place them on the baking tray and take care that the leaves do not overlap each other. It is so because if they overlap each other they will stick as they freeze and, it will break off from the stem. Now cover the leaves with wax paper and freeze them overnight. Take them out the next day and put them in the bag, and label them so that you can use them before six months.
How Can You Freeze Dry Mint Leaves?
Once you have dried your extra mint leaves, crumble them and store them in an airtight container. You need to be extra precautious with the dried herb, as just a hit of moisture can allow molds or fungus to grow. This is why it is advised to store the herb in a cool, dry, and dark place. So it is necessary to store the dried mint leaves in a fridge, but it is not necessary to freeze them.
How Can You Freeze Mint Leaves For Later Use?
There are several ways in which you can store the extra mint leaves in your freezer. You can freeze it without water in a ziplock bag or just freeze them as ice cubes. Since mint is a refreshing herb and can blend well with multiple beverages and dishes, why should one not store the extra herbs for later use.
Can You Freeze Chocolate Mint Leaves?
There are over a dozen distinct varieties of mint leaves. From peppermint, spearmint to chocolate mint. Just like regular mint, you can freeze chocolate mint for later use. You can freeze it in any form- without water, with ice cubes, or a whole.
How Can You Freeze Mint Leaves For Drinks?
Be it cocktails, mocktails, or just a lemonade, mint leaves just upgrades the taste and refresh your mind. You can add mint leaves to any drink or smoothie and make it refreshing. You can freeze your extra mints without water, or in the form of an ice cube for your drinks.
How Can You Freeze Mint Leaves For Mojito?
Mojito is one of the most popular and refreshing beverages. The rush of sugar syrup, the tanginess of lemon, and the refreshing mint. It is not possible to grow mint leaves in winters. So buy, or grow some extra in your herb garden and freeze them as ice cubes for later use.
How long can you freeze mint leaves?
You surely shall be able to freeze the mint leaves for up to six months.
How to freeze mint leaves?
In order to freeze the mint leaves first, you have to gently remove the lower stem on the mint leaves. All you require in the end is the two-thirds of the mint leaves that you shall be eventually freezing. Now once that has been done, wash the leave very carefully and pat them dry over a kitchen towel. Now place the leaves on the baking tray to check and ensure that the leaves may not overlap each other. If so then, during the process of freezing they shall get stuck on one another and break away from the stem. Now put a cover of wax paper over them and you freeze them the night long. On the next day take them out and put them in the freezer bag and put a label over it mentioning the date of freezing it. Now put it into the freezer.
Is it ok to freeze the mint leaves?
It is perfectly ok to freeze the mint leaves for up to six months and not more than that.
FAQs
1. Can mint leaves be frozen for later use?
Yes. Mint leaves can be frozen for later use, easily. You can freeze them with water in the form of ice or just simply freeze the mint leaves and store them in an airtight container in the freezer.
2. Can you freeze whole mint leaves?
It is possible to freeze whole mint leaves. You can find the method in the article. Freezing whole mint leaves takes a little more effort and time than other methods.
3. How long do mint leaves last in the refrigerator?
Mint leaves can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator when stored properly. While mint leaves when frozen, can last up to three to six months in the freezer.
4. How do you store mint for a long time?
Freezing the mint leaves with or without water allows you to store the herb for the longest time. You can freeze the mint leaves from 3 to 6 months.
5. Why do mint leaves turn black?
There are two factors why mint leaves turn black. First, since mint leaves like moist soil and dry soil for a very long time can cause the mint leaves to turn black. Secondly, overwatering also turns the mint leaves black as they start rotting.
6. Can I eat mint leaves with brown spots?
The brown spots that you sometimes see on the mint leaves happen due to fungal disease. No, you cannot eat the mint leaves with brown spots. However, you can once the plant is treated.
7. What does Overwatered mint look like?
Overwatered mint turns yellowish with a weak stem and appears droopy. These mint plants are more prone to diseases.
Also, check out Can You Freeze Rotisserie Chicken? , Can You Freeze Corn Tortillas? and Can You Freeze Corned Beef? to know more.
