Beat the Heat with Mint
If I’m ever overheated, distracted, upset, nervous or just thirsty, mint hits the spot. I have a big pot of mint growing under the garden faucet and make generous use of it. I put sprigs in my water b...
Sources for Fresh Mint Plants
Arcadia Color Garden
1828 N. 52nd St., Phoenix
602-955-4500
At press time, Arcadia Color Garden carried the following mint varieties:
Photo 1: Mint the Best
Photo 2: Pineapple Mint
Photo 3: Mojito Mint Mentha
Photo 4: English Mint
Photo 1: Apple Mint
Photo 2: Julep Spearmint Mentha
Photo 3: Chocolate Mint
Photo 4: Lime Mint
Photo 5: Orange Mint
Vilardi Gardens, vilardigardens.com
Suzanne Vilardi grows mint varieties and sells them at farmers markets and nurseries Valley-wide.
Suzanne’s advice: There are so many mint varieties out there and everyone has their favorite. My favorite is Moroccan mint and when recipes call for culinary mint, such as tabbouleh, kefka or lamb dishes, it is my first choice. I love the smooth dark leaves that mince easily without bruising and the clean fragrance. Moroccan mint is also the mint used in the strong, sweet tea served at the end of a typical Moroccan meal.
The other mint I always keep on hand is Mojito mint. I always thought it was a version of spearmint, but learned it is a completely different type of mint unique to Cuba. These big, fuzzy leaves impart a unique citrusy flavor to mojito cocktails, completely different than spearmint, and I can’t make a mojito without it, so to avoid that tragedy I always have some growing.
Related Stories & Recipes
Lebanese Tabbouleh
A super-healthy, fresh and refreshing mint-heavy salad. Serve with hummus and pita bread. Keeps well refrigerated.
Thai Larb Salad
This salad is especially designed for hot climates. Heavily laced with fresh mint, it is cooling and filling. Keeps well refrigerated. Derived from eatingthaifood.com.
Virgin Mojito
The original Mojito from Cuba was made with mojito mint, limes and rum.
