Fresh Mint

I am on a kick of making vodka infusions, and I've decided my next one will be pineapple-mint.

Everything I've read says how important it is for the mint to be fresh, and how it makes a big difference in the final product. I don't use mint very often in my daily cooking, and when I think of mint I picture those small plastic containers above the parsley in the produce section. But, I feel like those can't be very fresh, just by the fact they are pre-packaged.

Where would one go to just buy a big bunch of fresh mint? I'd prefer to do it tomorrow (Thursday) and I live in Logan Square. Whole Foods? A particular produce market? A farmer's market happening on Thursday?

Or am I just over-thinking things, and the mint I can buy at Mariano's will be just fine?

I have tons of mint tho have to see if i planted pineapple--i know i have orange, chocolate, and at least 4-5 others. I live across from Scooters--PM me if you want to stop by and grab some tomorrow--I'll be home most of the day.

Whole Foods is a likely choice.

Mexican markets usually have loads of fresh Yerba Buena, which is in the mint family. Break a leaf and see if it's minty enough for you. I've often used Yerba Buena in place of mint, when mint wasn't available.

Any of the Vietnamese grocery stores in Argyle should have fresh mint.

I buy mine at Fresh Farms on Devon , one block West of Rockwell

I've got loads as well, I'm close to the Congress Theater. PM me and I can leave a bag out for you.

I always giggle at how eager mint growers are to gift their mint. It really grows like a weed, doesn't it?

I love Pimm's Cups in the summer, and the only think that keeps me from drinking them more often is lack of mint. If anyone who lives in East Lakeview has some growing near the sidewalk, PM me with your address! I'll happily pick it once or twice a week for you.

boudreaulicious graciously gave me some of her mint earlier today - thank you all for the offers.

The mint is being put to good use, infusing with three pineapples into 3 liters of Kirkland vodka. I'll be in touch in 8 days with the results!

Mint takes over. I have boatloads too. Saw this too late to volunteer for this project, but next time...

Yeah, mine has migrated out of the raised garden into the soil surrounding it. It will be in a no holds barred battle with my spicy oregano before too long I think.

Hi- I've learned the hard way that if you want to plant mint in your garden that you should put it in a large pot, and then plant the pot in your garden. The first year I had a garden, I planted mint, and I only had it for two years before I decided to pull it out. I don't use a lot of it, and in the community garden I am at in Evanston, I have no problems getting it from another gardener that did not contain it somehow. The gardeners on the East side of me took over that garden two years ago, and made the mistake of planting mint in their garden without keeping it contained, and I have all the mint that I could possibly need that has spilled out into my garden. I've got to spend some serious time digging it up this fall, otherwise it is going to take over my whole garden.

I find that if you vigorously pull out a lot of it at the end of the season, you won't get it everywhere the following year.

The Plant Breeder Who Minted a New World of Flavor

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/u ... c8c05e4c9a

@chicagoeditor Plenty of mint for picking on the southeast corner of Oakdale and Pine Grove. There’s a help yourself sign.