10 Ways to Use Fresh Mint

Mint is one of the remarkable plants. It is refreshing, easy to grow, and can be used for various purposes. 5-Minute Crafts has made a short guide in what ways you can use it.

1. Mint iced tea

This beverage is the ideal refreshment for a hot summer day. It is easy to make, and all you need are a few ingredients:

• Around 1 ounce (28 g) fresh mint
• 4 cups (around 1l) boiling water
• Honey or sugar

Preparation: Put the mint in a large french press or glass jar and pour over with boiling water. Let it stand for 5-7 minutes. Then press down the plunger of the French press or strain with a colander. If you want, now you can add honey or sugar. After that, pour the hot tea into cups filled with ice.

2. Cantaloupe ice pops

Everyone will like this healthy, light, and easy-to-make dessert. All you need is:

• 4 cups (640 g) diced cantaloupe
• 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint or 1 tsp dried mint
• 12 plastic cups or ice pop molds (3 ounces each/ 85 g each)
• 12 wooden pop sticks

Preparation: put teh diced cantaloupe, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and mint into the blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Then pour 1/4 cup into each mold or cup and insert the sticks. Freeze until firm.

3. Minty sugar snap peas

Another delicious and easy-to-prepare recipe with mint. You will need:

• 3 cups (294 g) fresh trimmed sugar snap peas
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 2 to 3 tbsp minced fresh mint
• 2 tbsp butter

Preparation: put 1 in (2.54 cm) water in a large skillet. Then add sugar and peas and cook until it boils. Then reduce the heat and simmer covered until the peas are soft. About 4 — 5 minutes. Drain and add mint and butter.

4. Watermelon salad

A compelling combination of flavors in this summer salad will not leave you indifferent. For the ingredients, you need the following:

• 1/4 medium watermelon
• 1/2 cup (95 g) crumbled or cubed feta cheese
• 2 cups (30 g) arugula
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion about 1/4 of an onion
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, divided
• 1 tbsp (5 ml) balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tbsp each salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Cut the watermelon into slices 1 inch thick (2.5 cm), remove the peel, and spread 1 tablespoon of olive oil on each slice.
2. Cook the watermelon over a medium/high heat (about three minutes on each side) in a grill pan, honeycomb pan, or grill until charcoal lines are formed and the watermelon is slightly browned. Remove from the heat and cut into large pieces.
3. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, feta, rocket, red onion, mint, and basil. Whip 1 tablespoon olive oil, balsamic (more to taste), salt, and pepper. Then gently mix with the rest of the salad.
4. You can serve the salad hot or cold.

5. Mint ice cubes

These mint ice cubes are good in water, fresh juices, or lemonade. All you need to do is to make an extra-strong mint tea and freeze it in ice cubes. And you get instant refreshment from the mint.

6. Chocolate-dipped mint leaves

After a meal, you can try these refreshing mint bites. You can eat the leaves on their own or use them as a decoration for a chocolate cake or ice cream. All you need is:

• 1/2 cup (140 g) dark chocolate (bars work fine)
• Fresh mint leaves

Preparation: dip the mint leaves in melted chocolate holding them by the handle or with kitchen tweezers. Place them on a baking tray covered with parchment. Freeze them for about 20 minutes or up to 5 hours. Gently remove them from the parchment and serve immediately.

7. Pea, fennel, and mint soup

The combination of mint and peas is perfect. And this soup recipe is proof of that. For the ingredients you will need:

• olive oil
• 1 lb fennel (450 g), tough outer layers peeled away, and the rest chopped
• 1 lb 2 oz (500 g) peas, fresh or frozen
• 900 ml vegetable stock
• 3 tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped
• Salt and black pepper
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• For garnish: a few mint and fennel leaves, roughly chopped

Preparation:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add the fennel. Reduce the temperature to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes until the fennel starts to sweat.
2. Add the peas and stock, increase the heat, and boil. Then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Then add the chopped mint and stew it for another minute.
3. Transfer everything to a food processor or, using a hand mixer, whisk everything well until smooth. Season to taste, add a little fresh lemon juice, and serve garnished with mint leaves and fennel.

8. Mint pesto

You can use this pesto sauce on pasta, pizza, bread, spread on flank steak or pork tenderloin and grilled, anything with a little Mediterranean flair. Here are the ingredients you will need:

• 1 cup (30 g) fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup (30 g) fresh basil leaves
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• 1 trimmed green onion
• 1/4 (25g ) cup chopped toasted almonds
• 1/4 cup (90 g) freshly grated parmesan cheese
• Zest of 1 large lemon
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 5-6 tbsp olive oil (you can use garlic or lemon olive oil)

Preparation: Blend in a blender or food processor all the ingredients except the olive oil until the herbs break down. While the blender/processor is running, add the olive oil to this mixture in a constant stream until you reach the desired consistency.

9. Homemade cocoa mint soap

This cocoa and mint soap is easy to make. It smells phenomenal and can be a good gift. All you need is the following:

• 1 lb (454 g) Shea butter soap base
• 1-2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1-2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• 6-10 drops peppermint essential oil
• Equipment: microwave-safe bowl or pyrex measuring cup and soap mold (you can also use small silicone baking molds or items you already have in the house such as a baking dish, clean cardboard milk container, ice cube trays, etc.)

Preparation:

1. Melt the chopped soap base cubes in the microwave at 30-second intervals until it becomes liquid. Stir after every 30 seconds to dissolve evenly.
2. Then add cocoa powder, chopped mint, and a few drops of peppermint essential oil. You want to get the smell of ice cream with pieces of chocolate. Mix everything well and pour into molds. Sprinkle some more cocoa powder on top of it.
3. Allow the mixture to harden for about an hour or more. Then take the soap out of the mold and cut it into bars. You can use an ordinary kitchen knife or a wire clay cutter.
4. If you can’t take the soap out of the mold, leave it in the freezer for a few minutes, and it should come out immediately.

10. Mint body scrub

This scrub is easy to make and can also be a good gift. You will need:

• 4 cups (800 g) granulated sugar
• 2 medium-sized cucumbers (you can also use cucumbers slightly past their time)
• 1 cup (240 ml) coconut oil at room temperature
• 8-10 fresh spearmint or peppermint leaves
• 10-12 drops peppermint essential oil

Preparation: mix the cucumbers and leaves in a high-power blender. Then mix this mixture with the other ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into jars and store in the refrigerator after each use. It lasts about three weeks in the refrigerator.