Must have mints

We grew up with Spearmint or Garden Mint (Mentha spicata) and today it’s still the most popular of all the mints. Middle Eastern dishes make the most imaginative use of mint, especially those with cottage cheese fillings, yoghurt dressings and stuffings for vegetables such as eggplant, capsicums and tomatoes.

I also enjoy trying other varieties of mint and experimenting with their distinctive flavours, like Chocolate Mint, Apple Mint and Pineapple Mint.

All mint has the same basic requirements. They like rich, moist soil and partial sun. Most mints are creeping and will spread quickly.

Because of their invasive nature they are best grown in pots. Another option is to plant them in pots and sink them in the ground. Just clip off the runners as they appear.

Water regularly so that they don’t dry out. Should they suffer from rust just cut the plant right down.

They are perennials, dying down in winter but quickly sprouting again in spring. If they start getting straggly, just plant some of the rooted runners and you will soon have vigorous new plants.

The therapeutic properties of mint are probably underestimated. Their stimulating quality is unusual because it is both energising and calming. Their action is gentle yet very effective for the stomach, liver, nerves, blood and lymph circulation.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is the most strongly stimulating of the mints. It is excellent combined with Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) at the first sign of a cold, flu or fever. As a digestive aid it helps sooth the stomach-based form of headache. Many find it an acceptable substitute for coffee, giving that extra pickup without the harmful side effects. Its initial pungency stimulates the metabolism and is followed by a mild coolness, which refreshes.

The leaves and flowers can be harvested throughout the season and used to make herbal infusions (teas). Steep two or three fresh sprigs in a cup of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, drain and drink. Alternatively make a tincture, which has a better shelf life.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is the common garden mint, very invasive. Is most often used to make mint sauce or jelly. Leaves have a wonderful fresh taste that combines well with other ingredients.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a less invasive variety. Good for flavouring sweets, sorbet and puddings. Makes a refreshing tea. Many healing properties (see above).

Eau de Cologne Mint (Mentha piperita ‘Citrata’) is a variety of peppermint with bronze purplish green leaves. The leaves have a powerful scent, especially if grown in sun, and are best used in pot pourri or added to bathwater. Make a strong infusion, using a cupful of eau de cologne mint leaves to 500-ml boiling water, strain and add to the bathwater.

Apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) slightly furry leaves, very invasive. Makes delicious tea, add to pork dishes, shred into salads, fruit salads, and desserts.

Pineapple Mint (Mentha ‘variegata) A variety of apple mint but with cream and green leaves and light fragrance of pineapple. Add chopped leaves to salads and fruit salads; garnish summer drinks. Pick often to promote growth.

Chocolate Mint (Mentha) Add chopped leaves to chocolate desserts, ice-cream, chocolate sauces and even coffee.

Corsican mint (Mentha requienii) A tiny plant about 2.5cm high. Ideal for paths, with minute mauve flowers and peppermint scent when crushed.

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) Under 5cm high, good for growing between paving stones. Small pink flowers and tiny bright green peppermint scented leaves.

The following are not true mints but they are very close relatives:

Calamint (Calamintha sylvatica) An attractive garden groundcover that flowers profusely with spikes of lavender flowers. Is loved by bees.

Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) It has grey green leaves and produces a mass of delicate mauve/blue blooms. It’s often confused with Catnip (Nepeta cataria) which is attractive to cats. It only grows 15 to 30 cm high and is a beautiful edging for roses, with the added bonus of being an effective aphid repellent.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) Has small white flowers. It attracts cats, bees and butterflies while rats and certain beetles are repelled by it. To prevent cats from decimating it, grow the catnip in a hanging basket or inside a birdcage then dry the leaves and stuff it into some cat toys.