Apple Mint

Apple Mint - Mentha suaveolens 'Applefruit' is a variety of mint with leaves that emit a fragrance reminiscent of green apple. This hardy, perennial herbaceous plant can be grown in the ground or in a pot. It will reach a height of 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24in). Its leaves can be used to flavour desserts and are also delicious when infused in tea or hot chocolate. The plug plants of this variety are produced using organic methods. They should be planted in spring (from April to June) for a harvest from March to October.

Mint is an aromatic bushy plant with highly fragrant foliage. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, like lemon balm. It is best planted in a partially shaded location but can thrive almost anywhere. It should be grown for two or three years, after that it tends to become less productive. Choose the planting location carefully because mint spreads rapidly thanks to its trailing roots. You can also grow it in a pot, which allows you to control its spread. It is ideal for planting in the vegetable garden as mint is known to repel unwanted garden insects such as aphids, ants, and certain rodents. As for leaf harvest, it can be done throughout the year, mainly from March to October.

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

Harvest: Harvest the leaves as needed. Choose the largest leaves and cut the entire stem to encourage regrowth. It is best to harvest in the morning to best enjoy the aromatic qualities. If you want to dry the leaves, pick the stems before flowering.

Storage: It is better to use freshly cut leaves. If you are not using the leaves fresh, dry the stems and store the leaves in a tightly closed jar, protected from light.

Gardener's tip: If you want to plant 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 divide the clumps regularly, in autumn or spring.