Fresh mint leaves are a classic dessert garnish, but also have a lot of uses as an ingredient. Mint is often chopped or bruised prior to use, as this releases its aroma and flavor.
Use mint to make chutneys, sauces, and jellies for accompanying wild boar, pork (try it with kurobuta pork), duck and lamb. Fresh mint can be used to make all sorts of desserts (often by infusing or steeping the leaves), including ice cream. Mint is also delicious muddled into cocktails (mint julep recipes or mojitos) and non-alcoholic beverages like lemonade, coolers and iced tea. It can be blended to make herb infused oil.
Try freezing whole or chopped mint leaves in ice cubes for use in drinks! To make clearer ice cubes so you can better see the herbs, use distilled water and boil it prior to freezing.
Mint is added to some Middle Eastern-style teas, and can be steeped in hot water by itself to make mint tea, which is considered to be a natural stomachache remedy and is also a diuretic.
Check out our Fresh Herb Recipes for more ideas, from flavored butters and sugar to herb salads and foams.