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Post by agrorev on Feb 2, 2014 14:33:14 GMT -5
Mints are great permaculture plants. Everyone knows about peppermint tea, or perhaps spearmint in a yoghurt sauce. Jim Westerfield created over 60 new culinary mints. The past couple years I've evaluated some of his mints and this year am trying another half dozen. The first one I heard of was "Marilyn's Salad Mint" in the book Edible Forest Gardens. Its got very low mint oil, mild but with a hint of mint, making it a worthy addition to the salad bowl. OT mint is one of my main cooking herbs, the oregano character is very prominent, with a slight twist but a tasty analogue. Bigger leaves than oregano too. I find these mints more useful to me in the literal sense of using them more on a daily basis for culinary purposes. The usual mints are more suited for tea, medicinal, or garnish purposes, which I do love but tend to have more than I can use. Some of his patented varieties have expired I believe. There is some good potential to unlock in Mentha.
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Post by nicolas on Feb 3, 2014 2:06:15 GMT -5
I dream to try as many varieties of JW mint as you. Unfortunately there are not available in Europe. I've managed to get 4 varietes by a member of homegrown goodness board, but for know i can just smell the leaves waiting to propagate the plants.
Marylins Salad seems very promising, and i'm fond of Sweet Pear mint. For now i'm disappointed with Berries & Cream and Candy Lime. Oregano-thyme seems promising !
Have you planed to try cross pollination ?
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Post by agrorev on Feb 7, 2014 13:17:02 GMT -5
Don't judge them too soon Nicolas, the flavor/aroma is virtually nil this time of year, especially the more delicate notes in many JW mints. Crossing would be interesting. I haven't paid much attention, but so far haven't noticed any seeds. Don't know if sterile or the plants are just getting established. Another interesting one is Pink Candy Pops, a hairy, larger leaved variety that truly smells of an herb butter (especially during summer). It has absolutely no mintyness in aroma or taste. The taste is not riveting, but its a pretty good pot herb. Also it doesn't run, it clumps, and is ornamental.
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Post by agrorev on Feb 25, 2014 15:46:03 GMT -5
Apparently Jim Westerfield just passed on late last year. Many thanks JW for the wonderful cultivars and the enjoyment they bring. Maybe at some point the rest of his 60 cultivars will be released or given to the public domain. Richter's has discontinued some I would like to try like Savory mint and Sweet Bay mint.
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Post by starry on Feb 25, 2014 16:21:20 GMT -5
I've never had much interest in mints but you've got me intrigued. I stop into Richters often so next time I'm there I'll have to check them out.
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Post by agrorev on Mar 1, 2014 11:08:44 GMT -5
Ask them about getting ahold of the discontinued ones. I bet they're good varieties they probably just discontinued them cuz the patent ran out. JW mints are indeed intriguing. There is a lot of interesting variability there. JW ran a bed and breakfast where they serve the mints in the different courses from appetizer to desert. That's why I like these plants cuz its not just ornament or even aroma but culinary use that they were selected for.
Savory style JW mints:
oregano-thyme
spice mint
pink candy pops
salad mint
discontinued:
sweet bay mint
savory mint
The rest are all very versatile in teas, desserts, drinks, aromatherapy.
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