# What to do with chocolate mint? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 24, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523 "2010-05-24T00:45:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/1 "2010-05-24T00:45:45Z")
This is becoming a weekly thread: what to do with [WHATEVER IS IN MY ORGANIC BOX THIS WEEK].I hope y’all don’t mind. 😃 So, I get a box of organic goodies every week. It’s lovely, though I don’t get to pick what is in the box, as the contents are whatever is locally available. It’s a nice deal! Anywho, this week, I got a big, fat bunch of chocolate mint. I’m not the world’s biggest mint fan, though I’m willing to give this a shot. But, due to my general mint aversion, I don’t know a damn thing to do with this stuff. Help! For what it’s worth, I also got a huge bunch of red and white cherries, some stone fruit (I don’t really know what they are. . . sorry! It just says “stone fruit” and I’m not very hip to much beyond “peach” and “plum”. [They sort of look like the top row, third from the left.](http://www.gmushrooms.com/Posters/StoneFruit.jpg) Whatever those are.). Recipes, ideas, please! If we can mix the cherries and the mint, that’s great. Separate is fine, too! PS: I made some delicious roasted baby artichokes after my last “help me” thread! Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/2 "2010-05-24T02:08:10Z")
The fruit look like apricots to me; my wife is a huge fan of apricots and will eat them in just about anything. Consider cooking them with chicken. Fresh mint isn’t easy to use, IMO. You can make tabouleh, or mint juleps, or mojitos, or you can try making mint jelly or mint sauce for lamb if you’re feeling up to it. ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/3 "2010-05-24T02:17:24Z")
You can do Moroccan style mint tea. Stuff a bunch of mint leaves into a tall glass and pour hot green tea over them. Cold mint water is another idea. Slightly crush some mint leaves and put them in a glass with water over ice. (Caveat: I actually hate mint drinks myself- remind me too much of mouthwash. But everyone else I know is a big fan of these drinks.) ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/4 "2010-05-24T02:22:02Z")
> [@Pyper](#): > > (Caveat: I actually hate mint drinks myself- remind me too much of mouthwash. But everyone else I know is a big fan of these drinks.) For what it’s worth, I feel the same way, hence my general aversion to mint. But I figure I ought to try somethin’! ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/5 "2010-05-24T02:23:34Z")
Make a “grasshopper pie” Should be able to find a few recipes online. I’m guessing you could incorporate some of the mint in the crust or perhaps a whipped topping. Or maybe in the pie itself. Melt some chocolate mint pieces of candy and line the pie crust with it. Top with a wedge of chocolate mint candy and a couple of mint leaves. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/6 "2010-05-24T14:27:57Z")
I’d make mint tea. That is, I’d boil water or scald milk and let the mint leaves steep in them, without tea leaves. I’d also probably try to dry some of the mint for future use. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/7 "2010-05-24T15:00:24Z")
Peas and mint are a time-honored combination, and spring is pea season! 🙂 Mint tea is a good remedy for minor stomach aches. Ever eat at Taco Bell? Have some hot mint tea afterwards… You can use the mint for non-culinary applications as well. If you have a dog, crush and scatter some dried mint leaves over Fido’s sleeping spot. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/8 "2010-05-24T15:45:38Z")
To me, that screams for [homemade ice cream](http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/mint-ice-cream). ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/9 "2010-05-24T16:21:58Z")
I made a lovely batch of chocolate mint cordial a few years ago. Take a bunch of leaves & cover the bottom of a large jar or other container that can be sealed. Sprinkle a layer of sugar over those. Repeat this for 2-3 layers depending on the quantity of leaves you have. Then cover the whole thing with 750 mL of vodka (good, but not expensive quality). Then leave it sit for AT LEAST 30 days, shaking once a week or so. After that time, strain the liquid through (in order) a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, and coffee filter (if necessary). You can then add 2:1 sugar syrup (if needed) and bottle. It’s lovely stuff, particularly in hot chocolate. When I get home tonight I’ll look for my “official” recipe. This was from memory. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/10 "2010-05-25T00:17:47Z")
My wife made mint ice cream last year from fresh peppermint leaves. It tasted very. . . vegetable. I didn’t much like it; I think it’s much better when made from mint extract. My brother used to love spearmint tea with a big spoonful of sugar. One night I asked for a taste, nearly spat it out, and blurted, “Yuck! That tastes like hot Scope!” That was the last time he ever drank it, and I don’t think he’s forgiven me. But IMO, it’s absolutely delicious in iced tea. Make regular iced tea, but steep a wad of mint leaves in the tea as it cools, then strain. Drink unsweetened to avoid the mouthwash connotations, and you have a wonderfully refreshing drink. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/11 "2010-05-25T04:32:34Z")
Mint also goes really well with cucumbers. I make mint cream cheese by stirring chopped mint into a tub of whipped cream cheese, then I use it as a spread for cucumber sandwiches. I think it would go really well with honeydew too – maybe toss some into a fruit salad. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/12 "2010-05-25T05:40:19Z")
My memory was a little hazy on the cordial process. Here’s the original: _The mint leaves were cleaned and placed in a container in layers, alternating a layer of leaves with a sprinkled handful of sugar. Once all the leaves had been put in the container, vodka (approx. 3 cups) was poured over the leaves and sugar. This was then placed in a dark cabinet to infuse over a period of 2 months. It was shaken and checked every other day or so. After the infusion period, the liquid was strained out of the leaves using cheesecloth. Sugar syrup was added (in a 2:1 sugar to water ratio) and the resulting mixture was bottled. The cordial then sat for approximately another month before drinking._ ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/13 "2010-05-25T21:31:54Z")
And speaking of cucumber-mint, I’m eating this now: [Cucumber-mint gazpacho](http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chilled-Cucumber-Yogurt-Soup-2/Detail.aspx). I didn’t have any dill, so I just skipped that bit, but it is very, very good. Perfect summer food. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/14 "2010-05-25T22:04:53Z")
Personally, I’d use the mint to make a flavored syrup, split and roast (or grill) the fruit, buy a little good-quality vanilla ice cream, and serve them together. One of my very favorite summer desserts, though I’m more prone to using pineapple than the various stone fruits. Chocolate mint also makes a killer tea when mixed with lemon balm. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/15 "2010-05-25T22:54:40Z")
Why not plant it in your garden and practice using your machete every few weeks? I had a bit of that in my garden last year. Now it pops up everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-chocolate-mint/540523/16 "2010-05-26T01:13:07Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Anywho, this week, I got a big, fat bunch of chocolate mint. I’m not the world’s biggest mint fan, though I’m willing to give this a shot. But, due to my general mint aversion, I don’t know a damn thing to do with this stuff. Help! Make a [mojito](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojito). (Like **WarmNPrickly** , we have a ton of the stuff in the back yard. Very tenacious plant, and very satisfting to drink up.)