Orange mint is a citrus-scented and flavored variety of mint that can be grown in gardens or containers. It attracts butterflies, can be used in cooking, and is best used fresh but can also be dried or frozen.
Orange mint is a variety of mint that has been bred to have a distinctive citrus smell and taste strongly reminiscent of oranges. This mint cultivar can be used in a variety of ways around the home and garden and is often available in garden supply stores as seeds or seedlings. You can also grow orange mint from cuttings, if you happen to know someone with an orange mint plant that will allow you to make a cut.
This variety of mint is also known as bergamot mint, cologne mint, or mentha piperia ssp. citrata, if you want to be formal. Like other mints, it has a distinctive square stem, simple, slightly serrated leaves, and a rich aroma. The orange mint leaves are dark green with a red tinge. When allowed to grow freely, orange mint will branch out significantly, turning into a sprawling shrub. It can be trimmed to contain and shape it, keeping it in check and encouraging tender new growth. It also does very well for container gardening and can even be grown indoors on a sunny windowsill.
If you live in USDA zones four through 11, you can grow orange mint as a perennial. It may die off a bit over the winter in colder areas, but it will come back with a vengeance in the spring. In the garden, orange mint can be used to attract butterflies and can also make an excellent groundcover or aromatic border. Orange mint also works well as a foliage background and can be planted in the back of a bed to make it fuller and lush and to offset the flowers planted in the front.
In cooking, orange mint is a great addition to desserts and herbal teas. It can also be used in savory dishes, especially Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian dishes, where citrus and mint are often paired. Fresh mint leaves can be used as a garnish, or orange mint can be ground into various dressings and sauces. It can also be used to make sorbets, puddings and other desserts.
In general, orange mint is at its best when used fresh, bringing out the subtle aroma and flavor. However, it can also be dried and stored or frozen. If you dry orange mint, keep it in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from light, and try to use it within six months. If you freeze orange mint, you may want to freeze it in small batches that you can scoop out as needed.
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