ᐅ How to Store Peppermint in 3 different ways •【 2024 】

We use peppermint a lot in the kitchen, that’s why we always want to keep it fresh to enjoy its smell, so how to preserve peppermint without spoiling it?

You can keep peppermint in water and leave it in a cool, dry place for 10 days. Also, peppermint withstands the freezing process well, extending its shelf life up to 6 months. And finally, the dehydration of peppermint leaves will make you have this product for a long time at home.

Below, I show you in detail each way to preserve peppermint. So stay with me and enjoy this herb for several months at home.

How to store peppermint in water

If you want to maintain the freshness of the peppermint, keeping it in water is the optimal strategy since the other storage methods change the texture and quality of this product in a more invasive way.

To keep the peppermint fresh in water, do the following:

Step 1. Select peppermint

Choose the ones that you see as fresher and whose leaves are not yellow.

Step 2. Wash the peppermint

Put the peppermint under the tap, and with cold water, wash very well until you remove the dirt.

Step 3. Remove moisture from peppermint

Place the peppermint on paper towels to remove moisture from the leaves.

Step 4. Cut the root of peppermint

Cut the root but not its stem, so you let it absorbs water.

Step 5. Find a large vase

A large vase is needed to place the peppermint, although you can also use a glass or a jar. Then, add cold water to the middle of the vase.

Step 6. Put the peppermint in the vase

Introduce the mint into the vase with water. You must be careful that the leaves do not directly contact water to avoid damage.

Step 7. Place a plastic bag on top of the peppermint

Cover the peppermint in the vase with a plastic bag as if you were putting a helmet on it, which is a key to maintaining the freshness of the leaves, plus it preserves them intact when they receive cold.

Step 8. Store in the fridge

Place the vase with the mint in the fridge.

An additional tip: You should change the water every other day to keep the fresh peppermint longer

This method to keep peppermint in water will last about 7-10 days in the fridge.

How to freeze peppermint

Is it possible to freeze peppermint? Freezing is one of the most effective ways to preserve peppermint in the long run. This method of conservation is one of the simplest. In addition, it will maintain the smell and freshness of this herb.

Here you have the step by step to freeze the peppermint:

Step 1. Select peppermint

The peppermint should be fresh, and the leaves should all be green.

Step 2. Wash the peppermint

Use plenty of cold water and wash the peppermint well

Step 3. Separate peppermint leaves from the stem

You can do it with your hands or a sharp knife.

Step 4. Drain the mint leaves

Spread the mint leaves on paper towels to remove moisture. You can also use a soft tea towel.

Step 5. Find an ice tray

We will make peppermint cubes, so you need an ice bucket

Step 6. Fill the bucket with the mint leaves

You will place a mint leaf in each bucket hole, ensuring that they are at the bottom. And then fill each gap with water.

Step 7. Take the bucket with the leaves to the freezer

Once you fill the entire ice bucket with the mint leaves, please put them in the freezer for 24 hours.

Step 8. Store in plastic bags

When the peppermint cubes are ready, take them out of the freezer and put them in plastic bags or another airtight container. Close it well and store them in the freezer.

When you apply this method, you can take out the pieces you will use instead of removing all of them.

The peppermint will last you around 4-6 months in your freezer with this preservation method.

How to dehydrate peppermint

Can I store the peppermint without using the fridge? Of course, when you dehydrate the peppermint, you need to keep it at room temperature so that you won’t need the refrigerator, but in addition, this form of preservation works in the long run.

Today I will explain step by step to do it from your home.

Step 1. Select peppermint

As always, pick the fresh and green ones.

Step 2. Wash peppermint well

Put the mint leaves in a bowl with cold water and wash them very well.

Step 3. Drain moisture from peppermint

Place the peppermint on a layer of paper towel, and leave it for a few minutes to remove all moisture.

Step 4. Remove the leaves from the peppermint

Peppermint should not have roots or stem since we will only use the leaves for this drying technique.

Step 5. Find an ideal glass plate for microwaves

On a flat glass plate, spread all the mint leaves. When placing the leaves on the plate, make sure you don’t pile them up, so they all receive the heat and dry evenly.

Step 6. Put the peppermint in the microwave

Place the dish with the leaves inside the microwave.

Let them dry for 45 seconds or when you notice that the leaves look folded.

Step 7. Remove from microwave

When they are dry, you must remove them from the microwave and cool them to room temperature. The leave must be cool since the steam can develop moisture in the container.

Step 8. Store in glass containers

Put the dried peppermint leaves inside the container until you fill it completely. The best containers are those that have an airtight lid.

Step 9. Store in your pantry or cupboard

Take the glass container with the dehydrated peppermint to the pantry, which should be dry and fresh, with no signs of moisture.

You can store the dehydrated peppermint at room temperature for a year in perfect condition.

It is possible to use the oven at 120°F (50°C) to dehydrate the peppermint, which could be better for the quality of the product. [1]

How do you know when peppermint is bad?

Peppermint is bad if:

The leaves are yellowish or black.
The leaves are broken in some of their parts.

The stem has a brown color, which represents a sign of decomposition.
When you grab the peppermint, it does not have a fresh smell but a stale one.

How long does peppermint last?

The shelf life of peppermint depends on the conservation method we use and the quality of the product. So to answer this question, I have the following table:

Product	Duration time
Peppermint in water	7 to 10 days
Frozen peppermint	4 to 6 months
Dehydrated or dried peppermint	1 year

What is the best way to preserve peppermint?

To be fair, I think every single storage method is proper, depending on the situation and the purpose. However, the best should be to store it in water since the peppermint will be fresher.

On the other hand, you can use the frozen peppermint in a recipe as the mojito, and you don’t even need to thaw it for that.

Also, there is the chance to dehydrate it and convert it into powder. After that, you can use it like paprika or pepper, which is a huge advantage.

If you want to know more about food preservation, I invite you to read the following articles.