KITCHEN GARDENIs Vietnamese mint really a mint?Scientific Name: Persicaria odorataCommon Name:Vietnamese mintFamily: PolygonaceaeTrue mints botanically speaking have wide spreading underground rhizomes with erect, square and branching stems.The leaves are opposite each other on those square stems, with clusters of...
KITCHEN GARDEN
Is Vietnamese mint really a mint?
Scientific Name: Persicaria odorata
Common Name:Vietnamese mint
Family: Polygonaceae
True mints botanically speaking have wide spreading underground rhizomes with erect, square and branching stems.
The leaves are opposite each other on those square stems, with clusters of small tubular flowers.
The leaves are opposite each other on those square stems, with clusters of small tubular flowers.
Ture mints are also in the Lamiaceae family.
So what do we make of Vietnamese mint?
Perhaps you saw it in the herb section of the garden centre and mistook it to be just like any other mint.
Traditionally, Vietnamese mint is used a lot in Asian cuisine. If you've ever had a laksa, you've probably eaten some Vietnamese mint.
What does it look like?
It looks similar but different to traditional mint, plus it's a creeping herbaceous perennial.
The leaves are very narrow and angular looking often with a chestnut-coloured rounded marking across the dark green leaf.
The flowers are quite different to min. Flowers are flat spikes of pale lavender if you're in a warm enough climate for it to flower.
Where and How to grow it.
Let’s find out how to use it in cooking by listening to the podcast.
I'm speaking with, Corinne Mossati
founder of the gourmantic garden website and blog. : https://thegourmanticgarden.com
founder of the gourmantic garden website and blog. : https://thegourmanticgarden.com
Also sometimes called Vietnamese coriander and as Corinne mentioned you can make a dipping sauce or even try making pesto with it.
If you have any questions why not email realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.
If you have any questions why not email realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.