Strawberry mint is an intriguing hybrid plant that combines the sweet fruity flavors of strawberries with the cool, invigorating taste of mint. This unique herb offers a tasty way to punch up both sweet and savory dishes and provides a range of potential health benefits. In this article, we’ll explore what strawberry mint is, how to grow and use it, and the many benefits it can provide. Keep reading to learn all about this delicious and versatile plant!
What is Strawberry Mint?
Strawberry mint, sometimes referred to as simply ‘strawmint’, is a hybrid mint plant that combines strawberry and mint flavors. It is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae or mint family. The plant has signature square stems like other mints. Its leaves are a bit fuzzy and have a serrated edge.
When crushed or torn, the leaves give off a sweet fruity scent that mixes aromas of strawberries and mint. The taste is a complex blend of the sweetness of berries complemented by the cool, subtle punch of mint.
There are a few different cultivars of strawberry mint to choose from. The most common are:
– Scented Strawberry Mint – Deep green leaves with a strong strawberry aroma. The quintessential strawberry mint.
– Pineapple Mint – Lime green leaves that smell like pineapples with an underlying minty zing.
– Chocolate Mint – Dark green leaves with a scent of mint and cocoa.
– Ruby Edged Mint – Leaves variegated in dark and pale green with ruffled edges. Smells like strawberry.
– Strawberry Lime Mint – A hybrid of strawberry and lime mint varieties.
No matter the cultivar, all strawberry mint plants share the same rich fusion of fruity berry and cool, minty flavors that make them so prized in cooking.
How to Grow Strawberry Mint
Strawberry mint is relatively easy to grow at home with proper care. Here are some tips for growing successful strawberry mint plants in your garden:
– Sun and Soil – Strawberry mint thrives in full sun to partial shade exposures. It needs nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Avoid soggy soil.
– Planting – You can plant strawberry mint from seeds, plant cuttings, or bought starter plants in spring after the last frost date. Plant them 12-18 inches apart.
– Water – Water mint regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not soaked. Allow soil to dry out some between waterings.
– Fertilizer – Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. You can also top dress annually with compost.
– Pruning – Prune off dead or damaged leaves and stems as needed. After flowering, cut back by 1/3 to encourage new growth.
– Winter Care – In cold climates, mulch strawberry mint in fall for protection or grow it in containers that can be brought indoors. Mint is perennial in zones 5-11.
With attentive care, strawberry mint will thrive and provide aromatic leaves all season long. Its spreading rhizomes also allow it to self-seed readily in the garden.
Culinary Uses for Strawberry Mint
One of the biggest appeals of strawberry mint is its incredibly diverse usage in cooking. Both the leaves and stems pack a flavorful fruity-minty punch that enhances sweet and savory dishes and beverages alike. Here are some of the top ways to use strawberry mint:
– Salads – Chopped strawberry mint leaves add fantastic flavor to fruit, green, chicken, tuna, and other salads.
– Sauces – Add chopped or pureed strawberry mint to salsa, pasta sauce, marinara, and salad dressings.
– Drinks – Use strawberry mint in cocktails, lemonade, iced tea, and sparkling water for a refreshing twist.
– Jams – Blend strawberry mint into strawberry, peach, or other fruit jams.
– Desserts – Candy strawberry mint leaves in sugar or incorporate them into cakes, pies, ice cream, custards, and more.
– Meat Dishes – Mix minced strawberry mint into ground meat for burgers or meatballs. Also nice with lamb and chicken.
– Vegetables – Add strawberry mint to vegetable dishes like peas, carrots, potatoes, squash, and beans.
– Garnishes – Use sprigs or chopped strawberry mint leaves to garnish drinks, desserts, fruit salads, etc.
With its sweet strawberry notes and subtle minty undertones, this herb is a versatile ingredient. Let your creativity run wild while finding new ways to use its flavor in snacks, meals, and beverages.
Health Benefits of Strawberry Mint
Beyond its widely celebrated use for culinary purposes, strawberry mint has a number of potential wellness benefits that make it even more desirable for everyday use:
Rich in Antioxidants
Like other mint varieties and strawberries, strawberry mint contains high levels of disease-fighting antioxidants including anthocyanins, quercetin, catechins, flavonoids, and polyphenols. These compounds can help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
Supports Digestion
The menthol in strawberry mint may help relax gastrointestinal muscles and ease digestive issues like upset stomach, bloating, gas, and cramps when consumed as a tea or added to recipes. The mint also triggers production of bile and gastric juices to support healthy digestion.
Boosts Immunity
With its high antioxidant content and antimicrobial properties, strawberry mint may give your immune system a kick by protecting against harmful bacteria, viruses, and inflammation. Regularly consuming it can help strengthen immune function.
Enhances Oral Health
Strawberry mint makes an excellent addition to dental care regimes. It helps cleanse the palate, combat bad breath, and its menthol has natural antibacterial effects that support gum and teeth health when used in mouth rinses or toothpaste.
Calms Nausea
The soothing minty flavor of strawberry mint has been shown to help relax the stomach and alleviate feelings of nausea, making it helpful for motion sickness, pregnancy, and other causes of upset stomach.
Aromatherapy Uses
When used in aromatherapy practices, strawberry mint essential oil can help reduce stress and anxiety, boost mood, and increase alertness and concentration thanks to its fresh, uplifting scent.
With all these potential wellness perks packed into its flavorful leaves, incorporating more strawberry mint into your diet is an easy way to support whole body health and wellbeing.
Possible Side Effects
Strawberry mint is safe for most people when used in normal food amounts. However, there are a few potential side effects and cautions to be aware of:
– Allergic reactions – Those with mint allergies or sensitivities may experience skin irritation, headaches, or gastrointestinal distress from strawberry mint. Discontinue use if any negative reactions occur.
– Drug interactions – Due to its menthol content, strawberry mint may increase the absorption and effects of certain medications. Check with your doctor for potential interactions.
– Heartburn – The menthol in strawberry mint may aggravate heartburn symptoms in those prone to GERD or acid reflux when consumed in large amounts.
– Liver toxicity – High concentrations of menthol from any mint may potentially cause liver damage. Use strawberry mint sparingly under medical supervision if you have liver disease.
When enjoyed occasionally in moderation, strawberry mint is typically very safe. But those with allergies or taking medications should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Where to Buy Strawberry Mint
For the best quality and flavor, try buying strawberry mint plants from a reputable nursery, garden center, or online store that sells live herb plants. Popular options include:
– Local nurseries and garden stores – Many independent nurseries sell potted strawberry mint plants in the herb or perennial sections. Availability depends on location and season.
– Big box stores – Large retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, etc. sometimes carry strawberry mint plants depending on inventory.
– Online plant retailers – Websites like Mountain Valley Growers, English Gardens, Burpee, and Gurney’s sell strawberry mint plants that ship nationwide.
– Farmer’s markets – Look for local farmers or plant vendors selling potted strawberry mint at markets during the spring and summer months.
– Seed catalogs – Some seed companies like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Burpee sell strawberry mint seeds for home propagation.
For the most convenient way to get your hands on this flavorful plant, start checking for it at local stores and nurseries as spring arrives each year. The sweet aroma alone will have you eager to try it!
How to Store Strawberry Mint
One of the advantages of growing your own strawberry mint is having access to fresh leaves whenever you need them. Here are some tips for storing strawberry mint properly:
– Refrigeration – Lightly rinse leaves, pat dry with paper towels, and place unwrapped leaves in resealable plastic bags. Keeps in the fridge for 7-10 days.
– Freezing – Blanch mint leaves for 1 minute, dry thoroughly, and place in freezer bags or containers. Frozen mint keeps for about 6 months.
– Drying – Hang mint bundles or place leaves on racks in a warm, dark place until completely dried out. Store dried leaves in airtight containers.
– Vinegar – Pack torn mint leaves into clean jars and cover with white or apple cider vinegar. Steep 3-6 weeks then strain.
– Sugar – Coat torn mint leaves in granulated sugar and allow to dry out fully. Use for teas, cocktails, and desserts.
– Oils – Blend mint with olive, grapeseed, or other neutral cooking oils. Freeze in ice cube trays for amazing flavored oils.
With the right storage methods, you can keep harvested strawberry mint fresh or preserved for months of tasty use in all your favorite recipes.
Fun Facts About Strawberry Mint
Beyond its impressive versatility and benefits, strawberry mint has some other interesting tidbits worth knowing:
– Technically a sterile hybrid, it does not produce viable seeds and is propagated through cuttings and division.
– Native to Europe, it was first developed in 18th century England.
– Victorians used strawberry mint frequently in desserts, considering it very elegant.
– There are over 600 species and countless varieties within the mint family.
– Mint plants can be aggressive spreaders due to their wandering underground rhizomes.
– The scent of strawberry mint is said to attract beneficial pollinators to gardens.
– Mint grows best when planted with companion plants like tomato, cabbage, beets, and carrots.
– In the language of flowers, mint represents virtue.
– Mint oil was used in ancient Rome to freshen breath and disinfect.
With its signature fruity-minty aroma and flavor, it’s no wonder innovative hybrids like strawberry mint have become beloved for both culinary and ornamental uses over the centuries.
Conclusion
With its tantalizing taste and aroma, visually appealing fuzzy leaves, and array of potential uses, strawberry mint is an excellent herb to add to home gardens, recipes, and health regimes alike. This fusion of sweet strawberry and lively mint delivers an unforgettable flavor that both soothes and invigorates. Beyond providing a punch of fruit and menthol to dishes ranging from fruit salads to lamb roasts, strawberry mint provides antioxidants and other compounds that support whole body wellness in numerous ways. Once you get your hands on these delightfully hybrid herb plants, you’ll find yourself finding new ways to enjoy their flavor in your kitchen and garden for years to come.
