Freeze Mint – You Should Pay Attention to That

Prepare the mint well

Mint can be harvested from spring to fall. In June, just before flowering, the leaves contain the most essential oils. Freeze the surplus harvest, and preserve it for about six to twelve months. How to proceed:

• If possible, do not separate the mint leaves from the harvested stalk, otherwise, they will lose their aroma.
• Of course, you don’t have to do this if you want to freeze the mint and use it as a spice in dishes.
• Be sure to wash the mint under cold water before freezing.
• You should then dry the mint completely again. The best way to do this is with a salad spinner. Alternatively, you can use a kitchen towel.
• You can keep frozen mint for about 12 months. Therefore, label the bags or bowls legibly so that you have an overview.

How to freeze the mint whole

A sealable freezer bag or airtight container is the perfect container for freezing the mint whole. To prevent the sheets from sticking together in it, you should take a few measures:

• Spread the cleaned mint sprigs and leaves out on a tray, plate, or sheet of aluminum foil so they don’t overlap.
• Otherwise, they will stick together when they freeze and you won’t be able to separate them easily.
• Place the tray in the freezer for one to two hours or in the quick freeze for 20 to 30 minutes. If the leaves are frozen, you can stack several layers on top of each other.
• Fill the pre-frozen mint quickly – so that it does not thaw again – in a sufficiently large container labeled with the date.
• A freezer box or bag is suitable for this.
• Tip: Dusting the leaves with some powdered sugar can also prevent them from sticking together.

Freeze the finely chopped mint

This method is particularly suitable if you later want to use the mint as a spice or as a tea.

• You can pluck the mint leaves from the stalk and chop the individual leaves.
• Then fill the chopped mint into ice cube molds until they are two-thirds full.
• Now all you have to do is add some water and put the whole thing in the freezer.
• For food, you can also use oil instead of water and freeze the mint in the oil.