Peppermint and lemon balm are widely used in medicine, cooking and in everyday life. Essential oils are obtained from these plants, tea mixtures and drinks are prepared. Fresh leaves are used for salads, and dry leaves are included in the composition of medicinal plant fees. Knowing how to dry mint, lemon balm, the villagers, summer residents and enthusiasts of the “gardens on the windowsill” provide seven useful leaves for the entire autumn-winter months.
Peppermint and lemon mint (lemon balm)
It is necessary to properly prepare fresh raw materials so that the old friends of a person - food and medicinal plants - do not lose their beneficial properties. Peppermint, lemon balm and other essential oil crops require careful attention to the collection, drying and storage of raw materials. Plants with the wrong methods can lose a wonderful aroma and their valuable healing properties.
Of course, chemical analysis of each portion of dried leaves is not necessary at home. It is enough to follow the rules when harvesting fresh plants, drying and storage. The question of the timing of all these works is also important. When to collect and dry mint and lemon balm? We will understand the intricacies of the treatment of darlings of folk and scientific medicine.
How to procure raw materials
Mint leaves and lemon balm are harvested in June – August (the period depends on the geographical location of the region). The signal to the beginning of the harvest is budding and the beginning of flowering. Collect mint in dry weather. Harvesting is carried out, as a rule, before lunch, after the evaporation of drops of past rain or dew. Otherwise, you will not have time to think about how to dry the mint, the raw materials will be spoiled, and all the work will go down the drain. It happens that the leaves are covered with a layer of dust, then they spray plants in advance and collect them after evaporation of water droplets.
If the plantation is large, then you can cut the shoots to the base or to the lower leaves. Then new stems will grow from the remaining buds on the rhizomes. Use for work a sickle, scissors or a special pruner. Small plants in the “indoor garden” require careful handling. In this case, only mature, undamaged leaves are torn off manually.
How to dry mint and lemon balm
The cut and harvested plant mass is stacked in small bunches or sheaves, left in the shade so that the leaves will plant, but not lose color. Then you need to decompose the raw materials in a thin layer under a canopy, on the balcony or terrace.
It is important to observe the temperature regime during drying. So, indoors and outdoors should not be more than +35 ° C. It is better to place bunches of plants in limbo in the open air or in a ventilated room (with cut ends up).
If the leaves are prepared separately from the shoots, then they are laid out in one layer on a clean cloth or paper, left on the table, window sill. Occasionally, raw materials must be turned over and inspected so that there is no blackening. Under favorable conditions, plant harvest will be ready faster than in a week. Direct sunlight should not fall on the leaves, otherwise valuable essential oils will evaporate!
How to dry mint in the fridge and microwave
Each of the methods of harvesting, drying plants has disadvantages and advantages. The main thing is that the finished collection has a natural color and aroma. This result can be obtained in the shade, in the attic, in a ventilated room or on the balcony. On the question of how to properly dry peppermint, medicinal melissa, there are often disagreements between beginners and experienced pickers.
Some suggest placing leaves in the oven or microwave for a short while. Others say that with this method, a significant part of the active substances is lost. You can use the oven, but the plant harvest will really lose its natural aroma and benefits. Useful substances are preserved during storage of washed and dried branches in the refrigerator. Placed in a thin layer, plants gradually lose water.
How to dry mint in the microwave? Plant harvest is prepared in the same way as for the method described above. Leaves should be laid out in a thin layer on cotton textile, covered with the same cloth on top, placed on a plate in the microwave. Turn it on for about 2 minutes, plus or minus 20-30 seconds. When the leaves are completely dry, you can hold them in the room for another day, then put them in a glass jar or bag of cloth for storage.
How to distinguish quality dried mint
Signs by which it is determined that the mint and lemon balm grass is ready for threshing and consumption:
- natural green color;
- the stems are dry, break when lightly pressed;
- there is a specific flavor;
- preserved a burning, spicy taste.
Raw materials, ready for use after threshing dry shoots, are whole or partially crushed leaves. If you place them in a glass jar, close, store in a dark and cool place, then wonderful herbs - peppermint and lemon balm - will not lose their properties for two years.