I'm so exited about blogging! I have been going back and forth about whether I should do this or not. Finely I decided, I have nothing to lose;).I would love to blog about one of my many passions.Food.... but not just any kind of food. Good,sustainable,organic food. Health is important in our family,we want to teach our children good eating habits and the love of Gods creation.We started a garden last year and it turned out great! We discovered the farmers market and we are hooked.This year the garden will be filled with more veggies then last year! Beautiful juicy tomato's.Cucumbers that just wait to be picked.I canned a few jars of pickles last year and lets just say....cant wait for this summer.I started all my seeds this year, they are growing wonderfully.I purchased my seeds from www.highmowingseeds.com. I love looking threw their catalog.Anyway not sure how blogging really works, but It seems simple enough. Today I would like to blog about a nice herb that grows in our back yard. Mint.. also known as Liu Xiang.
Mint has been in cooking for thousands of years. There are so many different mints out there. Peppermints,Basil mint, chocolate Peppermint,Spearmint.I can go on ... The beneficial properties of mint in cooking are well known, these being as digestive, antispasmodic and carminative. In addition, it also has antioxidant and antiviral properties.Mint attract butterfly's and bees! They bloom in summer, this beautiful purple flower. The flowers have a wonderful mint flavor. After removing the green parts, scatter them over salad or strawberries and other summer fruit, or use in desserts. I love to hang dry my mint and use it for tea in winter. The smell is so relaxing and lovely.I got this beautiful herb cookbook last year from my husband, called Jekka's Herb Cookbook.Great gift! How to Grow mint.
Most mints are hardy in zones 5 to 9 . They adapt to sun or partial shade and average to moist, well-drained soil. To keep mints from crowding out less vigorous plants, give them a spot by themselves or grow them in pots. ( they are very vigorous) Snip shoots for fresh use;regular picking encourages more leafy growth. For drying, cut stems a few inches above the ground just before bloom.
Did you know? Mint is a symbol of hospitality,and a mint bed grows by the back door of many southern households. I hope you learn and enjoy with me on my blogging adventure!
All my info comes from Jekka's herb cookbook and Beautiful Easy Herbs by Laurence Sombke.
-Elena-
