Season: Spring - Fall
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Peppermint generally grows best in moist, shaded locations, and expands by underground rhizomes. Young shoots are taken from old stocks and dibbled into the ground about 0.5 m (1.5 ft) apart. They grow quickly and cover the ground with runners if it is permanently moist. For the home gardener, it is often grown in containers to restrict rapid spreading. It grows best with a good supply of water, without being water-logged, and planted in areas with partial sun to shade.
The leaves and flowering tops are used; they are collected as soon as the flowers begin to open and can be dried. The wild form of the plant is less suitable for this purpose, with cultivated plants having been selected for more and better oil content. They may be allowed to lie and wilt a little before distillation, or they may be taken directly to the still.
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Mature Height
36 Inches |
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Mature Width
24 Inches |
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Light
Half Sun |
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Water
High |
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Uses
Fresh or dried peppermint leaves are often used alone in peppermint tea or with other herbs in herbal teas (tisanes, infusions). Peppermint is used for flavoring ice cream, candy, fruit preserves, alcoholic beverages, chewing gum, toothpaste, and some shampoos, soaps, and skin care products.
Menthol activates cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin and mucosal tissues, and is the primary source of the cooling sensation that follows the topical application of peppermint oil.
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RECIPES
Peppermint Bundt Cake
Ingredients
• 1 package white cake mix (regular size)
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies, divided
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon 2% milk
Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 10-in. fluted tube pan. Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Transfer 1 cup to a small bowl; stir in extract, food coloring and 1/2 cup crushed candies.
2 Spoon 2 cups plain batter prepared pan. Carefully top with peppermint batter; do not swirl. Top with remaining plain batter.
3 Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-45 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
4 Combine confectioners' sugar and milk; drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons crushed candies.
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