Mint is one of those herbs that can instantly liven up almost any drink. Whether it's hot or iced tea, lemonade, or just plain water, the subtly sweet, and chilling bite of mint serves as a flavorful addition. co*cktails, in particular, really benefit from mint. What would a mint julep or a mojito be without the freshness of mint? But where mint is a main ingredient in these two co*cktails, there is something to be said for utilizing it as a simple garnish. Just remember to smack the leaves before you add them in.
Far from serving as a simple ornament, a mint garnish actually serves a flavorful purpose in a co*cktail. It lifts the flavors of the other ingredients, without losing itself to them. Smacking mint is different from muddling in that you're not mashing the mind directly into the drink. Instead, you're letting the mint speak for itself without taking over the show.
When you smack the mint, you release the essential oils inside of the leaves. The oils are, after all, what gives the mint its flavor. Once added to the drink, the mint oils will infuse just enough for you to taste it. If you neglect to smack the leaves before adding them to the drink, all you're doing is adding visual appeal to the drink. Mint cannot provide its classic flavor if it isn't first agitated in some way. Fortunately, smacking the leaves is one of the easiest ways to do this.
There is no great secret to smacking mint leaves in order to wake them up and allow their flavor to permeate a co*cktail. Simply take a few sprigs of mint, lay them flat in one hand, then take your free hand and smack downwards in one good clap. The only finesse here is in how hard you hit. You want to hit hard enough for the leaves to release their oils, but not so hard as to bruise them. Mint is eager to release its oils, so it doesn't take much. If your hands smell wonderfully minty after smacking, you've done the job right.
Apart from the flavor, mint leaves also offer a wonderful visual component to a co*cktail. The green leaves set against the vibrant or muted colors of a co*cktail make for one beautiful drink. And mint does have its fair share of applications in the co*cktail world. Obviously, there's the mojito and the mint julep, but other drinks like gin mules, whiskey smashes, gimlets, Cuban co*cktails, gin and tonics, and even something like a nice limeade will all benefit from a garnish of mint.
So, whether you buy or grow some specifically for co*cktail use, or are just looking for a way to liven up your standard glass of water, give the mint leaves a good smack. You can giggle about it afterward while you're sipping your refreshing drink.
When you smack the mint, you release the essential oils inside of the leaves. The oils are, after all, what gives the mint its flavor. Once added to the drink, the mint oils will infuse just enough for you to taste it.
When you smack the mint, you release the essential oils inside of the leaves. The oils are, after all, what gives the mint its flavor. Once added to the drink, the mint oils will infuse just enough for you to taste it.
A smack accentuates the oils, whereas more violent action against the herb — like a muddle or a crush that can bruise and break leaves and stems — will release more of a chlorophyll aroma. At VinePair, we put smacked and un-smacked mint to a blind taste test.
There is no one food or drink that will detox your body. However, adequate hydration–and mint tea can certainly contribute to that–will support proper kidney function so that toxins can be removed from the body through urine. Staying hydrated also promotes bowel regularity, another primary way the body expels toxins.
Mint water prevents and treats constipation, regulates body temperature, maintains electrolyte balance, optimises natural detox, maintains blood pressure and keeps you energetic throughout the day. "Mint also helps you improve your mood.
Mint is a fragrant and delicious plant that is an ingredient in many foods and beverages. It also has health benefits that may include relieving indigestion, improving brain function, and masking bad breath.
While there are no set guidelines regarding how many cups of peppermint tea you should have a day, most studies recommend 2-3 cups, with a few researchers suggesting that drinking up to 4-5 cups may be fine as well. Because peppermint tea contains no caffeine, it can be consumed in the evening.
Mint leaves are low in calories making them a great choice for adding flavour to your meals without significantly increasing your calorie intake. Mint tea may help lose belly fat and satisfy tea cravings.
These help in the digestive process, especially if you have a hefty meal at night. Food stagnation may be a sign of overeating, which can cause disturbed sleep. Peppermint helps overcome that. As a tea, it aids the digestive process by helping your liver with its detoxification and digestive functions.
Consuming 12-15 fresh mint leaves daily is the best way. You can even consume them by adding them to detox water, herbal teas, yogurt, smoothies, salads, soups, dips and sauces, etc.
Cover and put in the fridge for at least 1 hour to give the water enough time to take on the aroma and flavor of the mint. Keep the mint water in the fridge, and add more water as you use it. The mint will keep flavoring the water for up to 3 days.
Smoking mint leaves improve blood circulation and relax nerves; peppermint leaves clears the lungs and respiratory passages and can make breathing easier. Smoking mint or other herbs that do not contain nicotine may be useful in helping quit smoking tobacco.
Though recipes vary, most call for muddling mint. According to Nomad Bar Director Pietro Collina, however, you actually shouldn't muddle those leaves. Muddling will create a bitter taste, he says. All you have to do is remove the leaves from the stem, and throw them into the shaker with the rest of the ingredients.
Mint, with its natural inclination to spread, can become a garden bully if not properly contained. While ground planting is an option, it requires caution. Container planting is often the preferred method, providing control over the growth and spread of mint.
An old superstition cautions that mint must never be gathered with an iron tool. The herb was often carried for protection by travelers or those performing exorcisms--and sometimes placed with money to make it grow! Another old wives' tale holds that an injured man must not be fed mint, or he will never mend.
Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
