Fresh and pleasant mint is familiar to everyone from chocolate, ice cream, and sauces. But have you tried minty chimichurri? Grab the recipe at the end of the page.
The most familiar to us are spearmint and peppermint. Thanks to its aroma, mint is a popular seasoning in tea, for example. Did you know that you can also choose a wine to pair specifically with this wonderful herb?
Where does mint actually come from?
At Robbe's Little Garden, spearmint is grown from seed. Moroccan mint and other specialty varieties are usually grown from seedlings or cuttings. Cultivation is fairly challenging due to the long germination time. Mint is grown in a large peat block with only a thin paper gauze around it. Robbe's Little Garden's production is now completely plastic-pot-free. It's a real eco-deed, as it saves a lot of plastic.
What makes Robbe's mint special is that the plant is grown in an energy-efficient vertical farm. Consistent conditions and the right kind of light give the mint a stronger flavor than usual. When spring arrives, you should definitely plant the block in a larger pot. Place the pot in a bright spot and remember to water. This way you can enjoy your mint for a longer time.
Mint is worth using as a whole plant, because the stems are also soft and flavorful. The finest parts of the plant, however, are the mint leaves. At the end of the article you'll find a good tip for using the stems!
Mint is a versatile seasoning
In the company of red wine, mint truly shines. You should try pairing it with Chakana Nuna Vineyard Cabernet Franc, which understands this aromatic herb and beautifully brings out its best qualities. The soulful and rich wine comes from Argentina's Nuna vineyard, which is the country's largest certified organic farm.
In addition to being organic and biodynamic production, this wine is also suitable for vegans. It complements lamb beautifully, for example, which is often enjoyed with mint sauce. A perfect ten for both! As a vegan alternative, you can serve seitan instead of lamb.
Mint is versatile both when cooking and with a small bite. It works as both a seasoning and a beautiful garnish. You can easily make a treat from mint by turning it into chimichurri, for example, which is an Argentinian spicy sauce. What could be better than an Argentinian sauce and an Argentinian wine!
Minty chimichurri works as both a dipping sauce and a marinade. Try this handy and quick recipe!
Minty Chimichurri
2 garlic cloves
1 generous bunch of mint
0.5 bunch of parsley
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon chili
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Here's how:
Finely chop the garlic, mint, and parsley and put them in a bowl. Add the red wine vinegar, salt, and chili and mix. Add the olive oil and stir until smooth. That's it!
Want to use the leftover mint stems too? Turn them into mint water! Put the stems in a pot and add water. Heat to boiling point, but don't start boiling the stems unnecessarily—instead, take the pot off the stove right away. Let the water infuse overnight if you like, and strain out the mint stems. You can sweeten the mint water if you want and drink it as is, either cold or hot like tea. It also works well as a base for drinks. Or come up with your own unique way to use it!
