Art, obsession, and identity
For a refreshing snack, try mixing some plain unsweetened Greek yogurt with berries, and then toss over some fresh mint.
Perhaps an obvious one, but fresh mint is great for making tea. Fresh mint tea is loaded with antioxidants and vitamin A, and contains zero cholesterol or fat.
Adding fresh mint can be a great way to mix up your morning (or afternoon) smoothie. Whether you like them chocolatey or fruity, you can’t go wrong by adding mint.
To make fresh mint tea, tear up five to 10 big leaves and muddle them in a cup with a wooden spoon. Pour over some hot water and let it brew for five to 10 minutes.
In fact, mint is a great garnish for many dishes, but it goes especially well with Greek yogurt and strawberries. Why not try it for a healthy breakfast?
For a chocolate and mint protein smoothie, try blending some ice, water, chocolate protein powder, flax seed, and mint. Delicious!
To get on top of your salad game, toss together some fresh strawberries, mint, basil, and balsamic vinegar. You can keep the measurements quite fluid.
If you are not familiar with mint sauce, give it a whirl. It's a condiment that can be found in many traditional Middle Eastern, South Indian, and particularly lamb-based dishes.
The mix goes great on top of a green leafy salad, or even on top of some toasted bread. Fresh mint works wonders with watermelon and feta, too.
Whether you prefer store-bought or homemade, just mix in some finely chopped fresh mint leaves to boost your mint sauce.
Fresh mint is also a great addition to the fairly similar but slightly different mint jelly. Mint jelly tends to be sweet, while mint sauce is more vinegar-based.
Again, some finely chopped fresh mint leaves will be a great addition to mint jelly. Why not give it a go the next time you get takeaway?
A mint lime fizzler is the perfect antidote to those hot, sticky days. Make yours by muddling five to eight leaves in the bottom of a glass, then adding ice, a squeeze of lime, and some club soda.
If you are looking to make this refreshing drink with a twist, add an ounce of white rum. It’s 5 pm somewhere!
Popsicles are another great way to cool down in the heat of summer. In particular, watermelon and mint pair together beautifully for a fresh popsicle flavor.
There are many, many things you can add to your water (still or sparkling) to give it a twist and spice up your drinking day. Mint is definitely one of them.
Great popsicle recipes are easy to come by online, and homemade ones make a perfect alternative to store-bought popsicles, which tend to contain a lot of added sugar.
Adding fresh mint is a great way to give your pesto (whether red, green, or something in between) a bit of edge.
If you want to take this one a step further, why not make some fresh mint ice cubes? Just use your ice cube try as you normally would, but add some fresh mint before freezing.
Again, pesto is super easy to make at home, and there are plenty of recipes for pesto with fresh mint online. This is also an ideal way to avoid the added sugar in store-bought sauces.
And again, mint ice cubes pair well with more than just water. Next time you pour yourself a lemonade, make sure it’s over a mound of fresh mint cubes.
If you are a fan of lemonade, you’ll probably know that lemon and mint make a great pair. Add some fresh mint to your lemonade to give it a welcome twist.
If you really want to do something 'out there,' you could try a watermelon and mint pizza. Don’t worry–it’s not what you think…
Just as it goes great with lemonade, fresh mint can be a beautiful addition to many different fruit and veggie juices. It can help reduce the acidic taste from veggies and cut through the sugar in fruit.
If you are a fan of juicing, try mixing some fresh mint into your recipes. And even if you’re not, why not give it a try some time?
If you have ever used a mint-based face mask or face wash, you’ll know just how refreshing they can be.
Fresh mint is a great bet if you’re looking to create an at-home spa experience. Make sure you hang your mint leaves upside down for a few days first to ensure they are completely dry.
If you are looking for a way to create your own, just crush a few fresh mint leaves and add them to your favorite clay face mask. You’ll be amazed by the results.
When it comes to herbs and spices, it can be a bit tricky getting used to what belongs where. How do you know when it's a job for basil or for coriander? Is it better to use fresh, or dried? Thankfully, some herbs are more versatile than others. Mint, for instance, is one of the more flexible herbs, and it has the added benefit of being super healthy as well!
Check out this gallery for some ideas on how to make the most of fresh mint.
Once they are dry, you can add the leaves to some epsom salts to create a nice bath mix. Mixing in some essential oils such as lavender can’t hurt either!
Sources: (Elizabeth Rider)
Watermelon pizzas involve using a slice of watermelon to form the pizza base, and loading it with delicious fruits and, of course, fresh mint.
The best ways to use fresh mint
How many of these had you thought of?
LIFESTYLE Herbs
When it comes to herbs and spices, it can be a bit tricky getting used to what belongs where. How do you know when it's a job for basil or for coriander? Is it better to use fresh, or dried? Thankfully, some herbs are more versatile than others. Mint, for instance, is one of the more flexible herbs, and it has the added benefit of being super healthy as well!
Check out this gallery for some ideas on how to make the most of fresh mint.