What is the average shelf life of mint? How long does mint last in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer? What is the best way to store mint to increase their shelf life? Find out the answers to these questions and more below:
Shelf Life of Mint
| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh | 5-7 Days | 5-7 Days | 2-3 Years |
| Ground | 1-3 Years | - | - |
| Dried | 1-3 Years | - | - |
| Extract | 4-5 Years |
Mint can come in many varieties. Obviously, it is grown in the garden, and you can collect fresh leaves from it. Once you have freshly-picked leaves from the garden, then they can be set in the pantry, fridge, or freezer. This depends entirely on the time span you want them for and the way you use them. If you keep them in the pantry or the refrigerator, then they can last for 5-7 days, but if the leaves are put into the freezer, then that may last to 2 to 3 years. Mint leaves can be ground, and dried leaves can be stored for 1-3 years, while the extract can last in the pantry for 4-5 years.
Purchasing Mint:
When buying mint leaves, you should make sure that all the leaves are evenly-colored and perky. If you happen to pick out your mint leaves from a farm, then you can smell them to check if they have a strong aroma. Mint leaves may seem similar to a weed, but you need to check that the leaves are soft and gentle to the touch. If they are slightly rough to the touch, then they are worn out and not in good condition. Make sure to buy the leaves that haven’t lost their moisture.
Storing Mint:
There are different ways to store mint leaves that have been bought fresh from the supermarket. If you store the leaves in a refrigerator, it will greatly increase its shelf life, but the leaves will not have the same aroma and texture they originally had. The best way to store mint is by washing it thoroughly and keeping it in a tight container. Another way is to keep the bunch in a jar and fill it with water, and then dip the stems of mint into the water. Using this method of storage, the leaves will keep their freshness for at least 4-5 days.
How to Handle Mint:
Before adding mint leaves to your dish, they need to be washed. The leaves are not meant to be used with their stems; you must cut off the stems before using them. To use mint leaves for a longer period of time, you should put them in a jar near the window sill that will keep them fresh, and you can easily use them whenever needed.
Cooking with Mint:
Mint leaves are not much of an inconvenience when it comes to using them while cooking. It is a desired ingredient in all dishes. Before adding the leaves to your dish, you should thoroughly wash them, and split all the leaves from their stems one by one. Once you have done this, you may use them on the dish as a dressing, or you can take a chopping board and cut them into small pieces and use them to garnish a dish. Frozen leaves are best for use in soup and stew.