Mint
Mentha suaveolens (apple mint); M. × gracilis (golden apple mint)
Q
ueen Elizabeth I of England delivered an In the herb garden, you must take steps to
edict that every Englishman that partakes control mint’s invasive nature. We put bricks
of sheep meat shall take with it a bitter herb as ends down (to about 12 inches) to create a de-
a penance. The herb selected was mint. fined box just 2 feet square—quite enough for
At the time, there was a brisk and profi table our purposes. You can also cut it right back in
export trade in wool, but apparently the Brits midsummer for a lovely fresh fall-to-winter
had taken a fancy to lamb and were upsetting crop.
exports by putting the cart before the horse, so Divide the plant in spring and autumn.
to speak! Stem cuttings root easily in vermiculite—keep
Eating mint, which is an excellent digestive, good air space or ventilation.
is fine with the stronger-flavored, less tender I listed two mint species by their botanical
mutton, but mint with lamb, especially when names in the header to this description, but I
pickled in malt vinegar, wasn’t only a penance— would be remiss not to include some exotic
it was in one fell stroke the best example of how mints that you may wish to try in your garden.
not to use herbs. Peppermint and spearmint are obvious, but
An herb, of any kind, is culinary perfume. Its much less likely is the extraordinary chocolate
purpose is to complement but never overwhelm mint (Mentha × piperita ‘Chocolate’) and ber
the main ingredient. Mint goes well with beans, gamot mint (also called orange mint), which is
carrots, eggplant, potatoes, and peas. remarkable when served as a garnish to iced tea.
268 • GROWING AT THE SPEED OF LIFE
