About Mint

Mint is thought to have originated in Asia and the Mediterranean.  It has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes (stomach aches, chest pain, indigestion, etc.), flavoring, and perfumes.  There are ~30 species of mint, with the US producing ~70% of the world’s peppermint and spearmint.

Nutrition Benefits of Mint

Mint contains some great antioxidants – including perillyl alcohol and rosmarinic acid – which are thought to have cancer, allergy, asthma, and inflammation fighting benefits.  It is also known to promote digestion, help with irritable bowl syndrom, and help with muscle relaxation.  The essential oil of peppermint has also been shown to help fight bad bacteria.

Can I replace with Mint Essential Oil?

Yes.  If you have a high quality mint essential oil that is intended for oral consumption, you can replace mint leaves with mint essential oil.  We recommend starting with just 1 drop, trying the smoothie, then adjusting to your liking.  Essential Oil is very strong, so you can easily over mint a recipe if you are not careful.

Storage Tip

You can freeze mint leaves.  There are a few ways to do it – all start with washing, drying, and removing stems.  After that, you have a few options:

1.) Ice Cube Method – fill an ice cube tray 1/2 full with chopped up mint leaves, fill the rest with water, then freeze.  They are good for 3 months!

2.) You can just freeze them on a baking sheet for 2-3 hours, then put them into freezer bags.  They are good for 3 months like this.