Evening star., 1903-07-18
THE ODOROUS MINT
OF GREAT VALUE IN PREPARING
COOLING DRINKS.
Will Danish Headaches and Lassitude
Brought on by Excessive
Heat.

Written for The Evening Star.
In fields and waste places, in old-fash-
foned gardens and along the banks of wind
ing streams the mint family rise. clean.
erect, pungent and odorous Every mem
Der carries "a little medicine chest tucked in
its green leaves.
At some of the florists and Grocers little
pots of mint planted like chives appeal to
the housewife. who sees in them possfbili-
ties for a tasteful sauce an appetiZing bit
of green or the seductive cocktail, always
ready to hand.
During hot weather especially the thera-
peutic value of the mint scarcely be
overestimated. Spearmint. its cousin,
German peppermint. bound across the fore
head will give relief in violent headache.
Prepared in a tea. With half water and
half wine, cupful taken daily will remove
stomach: while essence of mint mixed with
cream and sugar or creme de menthe-the
French preparation of peppermint-with
plenty of cracked ice, affords relief for the
pain or laSsitude caused by the excessive
heat fatigue. In collie and summer com
plants also this preparation proves a SOoth-
ing and invigorating assistant
II is not Il generally known fact that the
United States furnishes two-thirds OF the
peppermint of the world. The greater part
of the supply is grown in New York and
Michigan. that from New York producing
more in value if not in quantity than any
other district. The first years crop is best
not only because the plants young and
vigorous. but because the mint is then free
Of a bitter pungent weed which springs up
later.
In the manufa cture Of creme de menthe
at least five Installations are necessary
This Is an ancient liqueur. dating back to the
early ages where it used by the an
clients for medicinal purposes and as a
Stimulant The mepthoI sold n ha lam
anesa and Chinese stores IS also prepara-
ton Of peppermint used for centuries by the
Chinese.
The mint juep beloved by virginians, is
cne Of the most refreshing OF summer
drinks Only the fresh, tender sprigs of
garden mint should be used. A good plan
Is to keep bunch of mint washed and laid
away the ice ready for use at short no.
tice. When needed. crush half glassful of
the leaves with a wooden mueller potato
masher. Add a tablespoonful each Of sugar,
pineapple and orange juices and seltzer
water Fill the glass up with brandy and
shaved Ice. insert sprig two Of mint,
lay in few berries or bits of fruit put in
a straw and serve cold.
temperance mint cordial without the
brandy, IS made by crushing a bunch Of
mint. rubbing each leaf with the wooden
mueller or masher, then soaking for a half
hour in the strained juice of two lemons
with the carefully grated yellow rind of one
Cook together pint of water and "A pound
OF granukted sugar until the syrup spins
a thread Take from the fire and stir into
it the lemon and mint, the juice of an
orange and the same quantity of pineapple
juice. Strain and put on the ice until cold
then Serve in wine glasses.
In drying any Of the mint family for win
ters use. pick before they bloom hang
heads down in the garret, spread on
sheets Of paper. When quite dry, put in
paper bags, again heads down. fasten
tightly and suspend from the garret beam
Tor future reference.