Mentha haplocalyx - Mint

The Chinese Mint is a variety similar to green mint, with wide and wavy leaves that release a slightly spicy fragrance. This hardy and perennial herbaceous plant can be grown in the ground or in a pot. It will reach a height of 40 to 60cm (16 to 24in). Its leaves will flavour your raw vegetables, grilled dishes, sauces, desserts or infusions. Plant in spring or autumn, harvest from March to October.
 

Mint is an aromatic bushy plant with highly fragrant foliage. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, like lemon balm. Preferably, install it in a semi-shaded area, although mint can grow almost anywhere. It is a perennial plant that will be cultivated for two or three years as, beyond that, it tends to exhaust itself and become less productive. Choose carefully the location where you want to plant it: mint spreads very quickly thanks to its trailing roots. You can also grow it in a pot, which allows you to control its spread. It is ideal to install in the vegetable garden as mint is known to repel unwanted insects from the garden, such as aphids and ants, as well as some rodents. As for leaf harvesting, it can be done throughout the year, mainly from March to October.

There are many varieties of mint, the most well-known being green mint, peppermint, pennyroyal mint and lemon mint. Depending on the varieties, the leaves will offer you a whole range of fragrances. In cooking, use them from appetizers to desserts, to flavour salads and raw vegetables, summer grills, yogurt-based sauces or fruits. The leaves are also delicious in infusion, in tea or hot chocolate.

Harvest: Harvest the leaves as you need them. Choose the largest leaves and cut the entire stem to encourage regrowth. Preferably harvest in the morning to enjoy the mint's aromatic qualities to the fullest. If you want to dry the leaves, pick the stems before flowering.

Storage: Ideally, consume the freshly cut leaves. If you do not use the fresh leaves, dry the stems and then store the leaves in a tightly closed jar, protected from light.

The gardener's little trick: If you want to grow mint in the vegetable garden while limiting its spread, plant it in a pot and bury the pot in the middle of your garden! Choose a large enough pot and regularly divide the clumps in autumn or spring.