The taste of summer - Refreshing peppermint syrup
Peppermint is an aromatic herb that is widely used due to its cooling sensation and high menthol content in culinary, medicinal and cosmetic applications. The sturdy plant grows like weed. Therefore it should be cut regularly, to keep it from sprawling and to promte bushy growth. I cannot drink as much mint tea as the mint is growing and disposing of the mint’s aromatic leaves would be a pity. Therefore I use the leaves to for mint syrup. With mineral water and ice cubes, you can create a refreshing summery drink. Only three ingriedents are needed:
At least 1 bunch of fresh mint (better 2-3 bunches)
1 l of boiling water
1 kg of sugar
You need at least one bunch of mint (10 to 12 stems) for one liter of water.
However, there can never be enough mint so feel free to go crazy with the amount of mint. Basically you make a very strong mint tea. The leaves should not be washed but since they are always a bit dusty and magnet for greenflies, I give them a quick wash. Pluck the leaves off the stems and tear them apart. Put the leaves in a big pan and infuse them with boiling hot water. Add per liter of liquid one kilo of sugar. Cover and let rest for 24 hours. Stir occasionally so that the sugar dissolves well.
Heat the oven to 100° C and sterilize clean bottles with a clip lock. In the meantime, sieve the liquid through a clean kittchen towel into another large pan. I put my kittchen towel in my pasta strainer that I put on top of the pan. Bring the liquid to boil and fill the hot syrup with a filling funnel into the sterilized bottles right to the top. Close well and let cool down.
Unopened, the syrup can be stored for at least six months in a dark and cool place. Once opened, store in the fridge and consume timely.
Put a bit of mint syrup in a big cool glass and fill with icecold water. Add some ice cubes and enjoy an refreshing summer drink!
Perfect as emergency supply!
What are emergency supplies?
Emergency supplies are essential items stocked to sustain yourself and your household for a minimum of ten days (or several weeks) during a disaster, power outage or pandemic, without bothering to go shopping. Non-perishable foods are an essential part of emergency supplies.
Why should syrup be part of the emergency supply?
A very important part of the emergency supply is enough water and other drinks. Thanks to its high content of sugar, syrup lasts very long. With syrup water can easily be aromatized, yogurts sweetened or desserts and ice cream refinde. Sugar releases dopamin and gives quickly available energy. Therefore, a couple of bottles of syrup must be part of the emergency supply.
Mint syrup can be made with goods from the emergency supply
Water and sugar should be part of any emergency supply. During the summer months, mint can be grown easily in a pot on the windowsill or on the balcony.