Mint Extract – A Delicious, Versatile Ingredient That Elevates Recipes
Mint extract is a delicious, versatile ingredient that can elevate many recipes. This homemade mint extract recipe is easy, fast, and cost-effective.
Peppermint is known to decrease pain impulse transmission, which may help alleviate menstrual cramps and other gastrointestinal discomfort. It also has antispasmodic properties.
This study investigated the antioxidant potential of two local mint species using a response surface methodology. The dechlorophyllized soluble phenolic extracts showed superior antioxidant activity.
Fresh Mint Leaves
Fresh mint leaves provide a refreshing flavor that elevates a variety of recipes. Its versatility makes it a popular ingredient for sweet treats such as cookies and cakes, but also complements meat dishes such as lamb. It’s easy to make your own homemade mint extract, saving you money and allowing you to control the ingredients used.
To start, place the fresh mint leaves in a glass jar and muddle them a bit using a muddler or the back of your spoon. This helps bruise the leaves, releasing their oils into the liquid. Add enough alcohol to cover the mint leaves, and close the jar tightly. The leaves may float at first, but should sink down as the alcohol begins to dissolve them. Keep the jar in a dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking it a few times each week to ensure the alcohol is reaching all of the leaves.
After the 4-6 weeks are up, strain out the mint leaves (they will turn brown as they infuse) and transfer the extract into a clean jar. This will allow it to be stored for future use. If you prefer, you can repeat this process a second time for a stronger extract. This mint extract, or tincture, will last for several years when properly stored in a cool, dark place away from damaging light.
Vodka
Vodka is a neutral alcohol that can be used to infuse all sorts of flavors. In this mint extract recipe, we’ll use vodka to capture and preserve the essential oils of the mint leaves. It’s important to use a good-quality, inexpensive vodka for this purpose. The high alcoholic content efficiently extracts and preserves the mint flavor.
Once the ingredients are mixed together, yeast is added to initiate fermentation, and sugars are turned into alcohol. The mixture is then distilled to produce the pure, odorless spirit known as vodka. Many companies use other fermentable substances to make their own versions of vodka, such as potatoes, fruits, and grains (most commonly rye), in addition to adding flavor additives.
Some of the Mint Extract most inventive flavorings for vodka come from vegetables and plants, such as beets, spruce needles, lemon peel, and bison grass. The resulting flavor profiles vary significantly, depending on the particular ingredient used.
One of the most popular examples is Quri vodka, which uses quinoa—the original superfood—to make its smooth spirit. The company also donates a percentage of profits to Peruvian Hearts, a nonprofit that supports the Andean communities that grow and harvest this ancient grain. This is a great way to show your support for sustainable agriculture and local communities! The nutty, silky spirit is perfect in martinis and White Russians.
Glass Jar
Make your own mint extract at home for a fun, easy DIY project. You can use the homemade mint extract in baking recipes that call for vanilla Mint Extract or for cocktails and other drinks. It makes a great gift for holidays, birthdays and other special occasions.
To make your own mint extract, start by washing the leaves and chopping them up. Combine the chopped leaves with your choice of alcohol. Vodka works best, but you can use whatever alcohol you have on hand. Place the mixture in a dark place and shake it every day. The mint leaves will seep into the alcohol and create your own mint extract in a few weeks.
Then, strain out the leaves and bottle the liquid. You can store it in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks. Just remember to shake it up once or twice a week! If you don’t have vodka or any other type of alcohol, try making your own extract using food grade vegetable glycerine. This will not only work, but it won’t have that strong of a flavor like the vodka.
Glass jars are ideal for storing homemade extracts. They are sturdy and durable, so they can withstand heat and cold and won’t be damaged by sunlight or abrasions. They’re also a popular choice for jar candles and bath salts.
Strainer
A strainer is a kitchen tool with a fine mesh that catches solids and particles. Strainers are useful for removing seeds, pulp, or tea leaves from liquids and soups, as well as for extracting herbs, spices, or fruits. They also come in handy when you are trying to remove a hair from a dish, or to catch sprigs of basil or thyme from soup bones or broth.
A jar of homemade Mint Extract will last for a year or more when stored in a cool, dark place. It’s a great way to use your homegrown mint, or to add fresh flavor to drinks and baking recipes.
The tincture is easy to make, and it’s inexpensive. It is a great gift idea for the holidays or any other occasion. You can also use this to flavor a cocktail, or to put in iced tea. It is also a good way to repel insects in the garden.
You can also make this using glycerine instead of alcohol. The resulting tincture will not be as strong, but it will still be usable for cooking and baking. Glycerine tinctures will last for 14-24 months when kept in a cool, dark place. You can also make a similar recipe with different types of mint. Spearmint is milder and works well in most recipes, while peppermint creates a stronger, brighter tasting extract.
