End of Summer Garden Specials: How to dry Hydrangeas and How to Make Peppermint Extract.

This is the garden I pass on my way to the clothes line every day.

The fragrance of mint is strong

and it is welcome,

even though it has clearly gained dominance in the flower bed.

If it were spring, 

I would tear into this patch with a vengeance to remove it's greedy presence,

but as almost everything else has had it's moment of glory,

I allow it to run wild

with the promise that I will gain from it.

This weekend, I decided to act on my threats.

Fist fulls of chocolate mint and peppermint were collected.

I also made time to gather up the hydrangea blooms to dry while I was out

since they were at the perfect stage for picking and drying.

I tried two methods of preparing my mints for their purpose

of becoming mint extract:

Pulling the leaves off the stems,

starting by snipping off the top most tender leaves,

and then grabbing the top of the stem...

 pulling the leaves from the top down.

They slide off rather easily this way

preventing the tedium of picking off each leaf.

 Any imperfect leaves were set aside from the good ones in the colander.

I then washed the separated leaves

with just a good spray of water,

and then set them out loosely on towels to dry.

 I also tried washing and then drying whole stems of the mint.

 (I found I preferred the first method

as the leaves were easier to pull from the stems before washing.)

These should then sit overnight,

so that they can dry out a bit.

The less water in them,

the stronger will be the extract.

Also, the leaves should only be left out for not more than a day

as all would be lost if the leaves start growing mold.

Once the mints were set out to dry,

I could turn my attention to preserving the hydrangea blooms.

I have found I prefer the "Sip of Water" drying method.

The blooms are stripped of all leavers,

and then the stems are placed in water.

The blooms by the time they are picked,

are slightly papery.  They are not soft.

 To pick them in this state is perfect because if a strong rain storm blows up while they are still on the bush,

it could damage the blooms.

They will drink of the water

until it is all evaporated,

and then the flowers will dry to a stronger dried bloom than if they were

air-dried upside down.

 Also,

one has the distinct advantage...

of enjoying the blooms while they dry.

The next day,

the mint leaves can be scrunched up

to damage the leaves and allow more of the oils to be released.

The leaves are then put into clean pint jars.

Once filled to about 1/2...

the leaves are completely covered in a bath of vodka.

These jars are then capped,

put into a cool, dark place,

and allowed to sit for about a month

when the lid can be removed

and the extract can see if it has strong enough flavor.

If so, strain out the leaves,

and use as an extract in baking.

Did you enjoyed any treasures from your gardens this weekend?

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