Chocolate mint is a close relative of common mint (Mentha piperita). This hybrid, M. citrate (mint orange) and M. Pepper, was crossed to cultivate ‘chocolate.’ It is a sterile hybrid plant that does not produce seeds. It has a chocolate aroma, but its smell resembles the citrus smell of mint citrata.
What is Mint Chocolate?
Chocolate mint is an herbaceous plant in the mint family Lamiaceae. Technically, it is a hybrid of two mints: peppermint (Mentha piperita) and orange mint (Mentha citrata).
It has beautiful, lance-shaped, dark green leaves and lavender flowers in summer. Chocolate mint is a highly valued culinary herb and has abundant ground cover, although its vigor makes it a threat to neighbors.
About the Chocolate Mint Plant
The plant grows to about 2 feet tall and spreads quickly by rhizomes into an attractive ground cover. Round, lance-shaped leaves are darker green than other forms of mint. Its lavender flowers appear in summer.
Uses and Benefits of Mint Chocolate
Chocolate mint contains several vitamins and minerals that support the immune system and reduce chronic inflammation.
Like other mints, its refreshing taste awakens the mind and increases concentration and cognitive function.
Its calming properties help with digestive function and relieve respiratory problems.
5 Uses of Mint Chocolate:
- Hot herbal tea. Chocolate mint is the best fresh herbal tea ever! …
- Sweet chocolate and mint tea. Add chopped mint chocolate to a tea strainer. …
- Cleanses the palate and digests food. …
- Insect and rodent repellants. …
- Great gift.
Medicinal use of Mint Chocolate
Like many herbs, peppermint has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It contains high amounts of vitamins A and C and traces of manganese.
Its common uses include aiding digestion, preventing colds, reducing cramps, and preventing nausea. Chocolate mint shows excellent potential in a variety of more severe conditions.
According to a recent National Institutes of Health review, peppermint “exhibits multiple beneficial health properties such as cancer prevention and anti-obesity, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cardioprotective effects due to its antioxidant potential, low toxicity, and high efficacy.
Chocolate Mint Plant Seeds
Many other mints, such as licorice, chocolate, apple, and pineapple, are also made to add extra flavor. Except for mint, these varieties are usually propagated by cuttings rather than growing from seed.
Mint can be difficult to germinate, so growing seedlings under controlled conditions before planting is best. The seeds are often sown in spring, although it is also possible to sow in warmer climates in autumn.
Sprinkle the seeds over the surface of a good quality potting mix, press down gently to ensure good contact, and cover with a little more mix.
Growing Tips
Mints are easy to grow and come in many varieties, offering a variety of exciting and unusual flavors, from traditional peppermint to lime mint to chocolate mint and more.
Mint grows mainly in sun or light shade soil, producing large clumps of leaves typically up to 1 meter (3.3 ft) tall and wide.
- Grow in full sun for the best flavor and color.
- Keep the soil moist
- Raise a container to hold the spread.
Water your plant frequently to keep the soil moist. You can apply organic mulch to the soil around the plant to prevent it from drying out quickly.
In terms of feeding, chocolate mint plants in a container only need one dose of standard organic houseplant fertilizer in the spring.
Chocolate Mint Plant Care
Light
Chocolate mint plants prefer partial shade. You can grow them in full sun with frequent watering.
Soil
Almost any rich, moist soil will successfully grow chocolate mint. Very dry, sandy soil can cause problems, but this can be solved with frequent watering. Mulch the soil annually with organic matter so it drains well.
water
Chocolate mint needs 1 to 2 inches of water per week (rain and irrigation) but does not respond well to continuously waterlogged conditions. If growing in a container, never let the container dry out completely, and make sure it is well drained.
Temperature and Humidity
This neat plant will withstand all weather conditions within its hardiness range. However, as indoor conditions are usually dry, you must provide adequate humidity when growing indoors.
You can add mist moisture or place the pot in a tray filled with gravel and water. Excess moisture can cause the development of fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Chocolate mint is a vigorous plant that needs little more than one balanced fertilizer each spring.
Pruning
You can start pruning the leaves when the plants are 4 to 5 inches tall. Regular mowing helps keep plants under control so they don’t invade the garden.
Do not remove more than a third of the leaves in a single pruning session. Prune or harvest at least three or four times during the growing season.
How to Propagate Chocolate Mint
Like other mint plants, chocolate mint can quickly propagate by cutting the stems and rooting them in water. Larger plants can also be divided and transplanted.
Here’s how to propagate your chocolate mint to grow new plants:
Step 1: Gather a clean set of pruning shears and a glass of water (bottled spring or collected rainwater is best).
Step 2: Select a healthy stem tip (about 4 to 6 inches long) with several leaves. Use your scissors to remove them from the mother plant at the base of the glass.
Step 3: Remove the bottom few leaves from the cutting. Please place it in a glass half-filled with water, ensuring the spots where you removed the leaves are submerged.
Step 4: Place the cutting in a warm place with plenty of light. It would help if you started growing roots after a few weeks.
Step 5: Once the cutting is at least 1 inch tall, plant it in a pot or fresh potting mix in your garden, then care for it as usual.
Potting and Repotting Chocolate Mint
Growing mint in a container is an excellent way to enjoy the plant without this prolific grower overtaking your garden. You will need at least a 12-inch deep pot with drainage holes.
Using something like a strawberry pot, you can grow multiple types of mint in the same container. Chocolate mint, with its dark green leaves and stems, is also lovely in a hanging basket.
How to Make Chocolate Mint Bloom
Mint plants typically bloom in late spring or early summer when the heat gets intense with panicles of pink to lavender flowers. Small flowers look like tiny knots. Bees and pollinators are attracted to its flowers.
Flowers are not known for their fragrance; The leaves are the fragrant star of this plant.
If you’re growing this plant for its tasty leaves and culinary use, you’ll want to cut off the buds before flowering.
By allowing a plant to bloom, it devotes its energy to flower production, reducing the pungent smell of the leaves.
Chocolate Mint Plant Recipes
Chocolate mint contains several vitamins and minerals to support your immune system and reduce chronic inflammation.
Like other mints, its refreshing taste awakens the mind. Here we leave you some recipes:
Chocolate and Mint Tea
- Place your fresh mint leaves in two cups.
- Pour hot water over the mint in the cup. Mix the mint with the hot water with the back of a spoon.
- See the recipe card at the end of this post for exact ingredients and measurements.
If you use plain mint leaves instead of chocolate mint leaves, add about 1/4 teaspoon of chocolate extract.
Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder if you don’t have chocolate extract.
Chocolate and Mint Simple Syrup
- 1 cup chocolate mint leaves and flowers
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup sweetener [sugar, monkfish, xylitol]
Bring the water and sweetener to the boil in a good-sized saucepan, stirring to dissolve.
Add the chocolate, mint leaves, and flowers, pressing the botanicals under the surface with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat and simmer for about 3 minutes.
Chocolate and Mint Chip Sorbet
- Sugar 2 cups
- 4 cups of water
- 2 cups chocolate mint leaves and stems, coarsely chopped
- Squeeze three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- 4 Tbs Vodka [optional, but better]
- One tablespoon peppermint extract [optional]
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips [optional]
Bring water and sweetener to a boil in a good-sized saucepan, stirring to dissolve.
Add the mint chocolate and press the botanicals under the surface with a wooden spoon.
Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Let cool completely at room temperature.
Common Plant Pests and Diseases
Mint is usually not a problem; However, it can sometimes be affected by rust, a fungal disease that manifests as small orange spots on the underside of the leaves.
Use an organic fungicide and dry leaves between waterings. Make sure the plants are open and have adequate air circulation. Chocolate mint is also deer repellent.
If your chocolate mint plants become stressed, they may become susceptible to pests such as whiteflies, spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Citrus oil is a good remedy for these insects.
FAQ
Do Chocolate Mint Plants Come Back Every Year?
When planted outside, your chocolate mint plant will return each spring after dying back during the colder winter months.
Are Chocolate Mint Plants Easy to Care For?
Chocolate mint is a low-maintenance plant that requires simple care steps, including adequate sunlight and water.
What’s the Difference Between Chocolate Mint and Mint?
Although they come from the same genus, chocolate mint is a variant of the standard mint plant grown with mint. Some varieties of mint chocolate have more of a characteristic chocolate flavor than others.
How Long Does Chocolate Mint Last?
This plant can live for five to ten years in good growing conditions. Propagate it with stem cuttings to keep it long in your home or garden.
Can Chocolate Mint Grow Indoors?
You can try growing it indoors, but indoor conditions are generally not ideal for mint, as it needs lots of light and moderate humidity to thrive.
Is the Chocolate Mint Plant Edible?
Chocolate mint is a perennial herb commonly grown for its edible qualities, although it also has ornamental benefits. The fragrant green oval leaves are usually harvested from late spring to early fall.
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