Spearmint for Tea
Growing by my Pond.
Spearmint has a sharper flavor than Peppermint.
Peppermint leaves are rounder than Spearmint leaves.
Spearmint has a sharper flavor than Peppermint.
Peppermint leaves are rounder than Spearmint leaves.
Peppermint tends to be more delicate and sweet. I use Spearmint for savory dishes and rich sauces.
Peppermint is a better choice for desserts and simple vegetable dishes.
How can I forget those magic afternoons in Rabat Morocco, the carpet shops in the Medinas of Fez and Marrakesh, sipping Mint tea made with lots of fresh tea leaves and many, many cubes of sugar.
Have a wonderful and sweet week my dear
Blogging Friends.
Gina
https://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Dear Gina,
ReplyDeleteYour wonderful post has reminded me of the wild mint that covered a huge area in our garden when I was a child-- we used to chew on the leaves as we played, and made what we called "minty potion"-- just mint tea! I'm off to the nursery to get a pot of mint and spearmint started!! Thank you for the inspiration and for the wonderful views of your cozy kitchen!
Warm regards,
Erika
Dear Erika, Were you able to find a pot of mint and spearmint? If not I will send you a little start. Both plants are such prolific growers that I had to remove them from my vegetable garden. They are perfectly happy, and welcome, along the banks of my pond. I'm delighted that my post brought back so many wonderful memories. ox, Gina
DeleteDear Gina,
DeleteI had to postpone my trip to the nursery due to a terrible week of very stormy weather... But I'm on my way this weekend, and if I can't find it, I'll take you up on your very generous offer! :) For now, green tea will have to suffice... Have you tried a slice of ginger in hot water? I have several friends who sear by the soothing qualities of this 'tea'... Have a great weekend!
Warm regards,
Erika
Dear Erika, Just let me know and a little start will head your way. I like your suggestion of a slice of ginger in hot water. Very interesting and I will give it a try. xx, Gina
DeleteDear Gina,
ReplyDeleteafter reading your post I had to check my own little peppermint plant which I water regularly but never use.
I picked some of the very tender leaves and added them to my cup of hot Assam tea just now. Delicious!
I always enjoy glimpses of your great kitchen with your own unique art work on display in every corner,
just marvelous.
Sunny greetings, Sieglinde
Dear Sieglinde, I'm so glad that my post reminded you to harvest from your peppermint plant. Peppermint tea is still my most favorite tea. Soon, my Linden trees will be ready to harvest. It never occurs to me that I have a lot of tiles in my kitchen until I see a photo. That's what happens when you can paint them yourself. ox, Gina
DeleteDear Gina, we had peppermint growing outside the kitchen window in our turn of the last century house. When it rained, the fragrant mint floated up to the kitchen and sometimes the wind carried the mint fragrance to the sunroom. Your blog post reminded me of days on the sun porch drawing and reading. I so love your beautiful kitchen. It makes me sigh.
ReplyDeleteDear Darlene, Thank you for your visit and lovely compliment. Isn't it amazing how certain smells bring back such powerful memories. Drawing and reading on the sun porch sounds so romantic.
DeleteHi Gina, and happy Sunday! I always so enjoy my visits. Your home looks so very welcoming and fresh and clean and the colours so rich and beautiful. I hardly ever show images from my home, for it is a bit drab...and shabby chic...more on the shabby...huge sigh;'( It is home! I have never cooked with either Spearmint, or Peppermint, but I can imagine the flavors surely would enhance. My husby loves the gums of both flavors, while I like cinnamons. Have a great week~
ReplyDeleteDear Mary, I love shabby chic, it has warmth and character. I am so glad that you like to come for visits. It makes me happy to see you here. Thank you, Gina
DeleteDear Gina - your mint plants obviously love the spot where they grow. I have several different mint plants - my favourite way to use them is adding some sprigs to boiling water when cooking tender, small, new potatoes, but best of all making a mint sauce to sprinkle on roast lamb.
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary, I would love to know your recipe for mint sauce. Like you I love mint sauce with lamb. There is no better pairing. I must also try new potatoes with mint. My potatoe plants are blooming right now, that means that I can harvest a few new, albeit small potatoes. ox, Gina
DeleteHappy to give it to you Gina - it is so simple yet delicious.
Deletebunch of mint
4 tablespoons boiling water
4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 level tablespoon caster sugar
Strip off the mint leaves, sprinkle with a little salt and chop finely
Place in a jug, add the sugar and pour over the boiling water, stir and leave to cool
Stir in the vinegar
Add a little more water or vinegar and sugar to suit your taste if necessary.
(If you do not have wine vinegar, malt vinegar would do)
Thank you Rosemary, I like your recipe and will make mint sauce this afternoon. ox, Gina
DeleteDear Gina - As a graphic designer, my first association with spearmint is the flavor of gum and its distinctive packaging. I relate so many things in my mind to graphic images, and then it's a pleasure to see the real deal, as in that first, beautiful photograph. You have so many lovely spots on your property!
ReplyDeleteDear Mark, I understand about relating many things to what appeals to us. I'm constantly looking at designs, designs everywhere, that might translate to painting in ceramics. That is interesting that you like the first photograph. It has been suggested to us that we should "clean up" our pond. I happen to like it the way it is. It probably has not changed since Native Americans camped by the spring a few hundred years ago.
DeleteLovely post and beautiful photography ~ Happy Day to you ^_^
ReplyDeleteHello Carol, How nice of you to come by for a visit. Thank you so much for your kind comment. Your compliment is so appreciated.
ReplyDeleteGina, your post immediately took me back to the experience of wonderful conversations over glasses of mint tea in Morocco! And catching up on your posts after an absence from the blog world has been a real treat - especially seeing your recent tile work (LOVE these) and your summer garden and porch. I hope you are enjoying a fabulous and warm summer with some relaxation in between the work!
ReplyDeleteWarmest wishes, Karen
Dear Karen, Welcome back to blogland, Have missed you. It's nice to see you here again. So nice that you also have wonderful memories sipping tea and exchanging conversations while in Morocco. The two somehow go together well. ox, Gina
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