Banana Mint Tops
Estimated Inventory, 4 oz : 0
This item was last sold on : 06/29/24
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Mint Banana Tops are comprised of three to four twin leaflets that vary in size from 2 to 6 centimeters, connected opposite each other on a succulent, light green stem. The leaves are oval to lanceolate in shape with serrated edging, prominent parallel veining, and a soft fuzzy texture that contributes to the tender and succulent nature of the leaf. Mint Banana Tops have a sweet, tropical scent and a bright herbal flavor with a mild banana flavor and cooling finish.
Mint Banana Tops are available year-round.
Mint Banana Tops are harvested from the top of the stem of the banana mint plant, botanically classified as Mentha arvensis L. Bananen. The tops are picked when the leaves are immature to maximize the mint’s sweet flavor and tender texture. Banana mint is a vigorous, spreading perennial herb with soft, fuzzy leaves and lilac flowers developed in France. Mint Banana Tops are part of a boutique line of specialty greens produced by Fresh Origins Farm in San Marcos, California, grown year-round and in-house in sprawling, sustainably-minded greenhouses. Mint tops are designed to add flavor and texture to various sweet and savory culinary recipes and beverages.
Mint Banana Tops are a significant source of vitamin A and vitamin C, two antioxidants that support the body’s immune system and cell production and division. The herb is also high in a variety of minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, a mineral that plays an essential role in how the body stores and uses energy and helps to filter waste in the kidneys.
Mint Banana Tops are best suited as an edible garnish and provide textural, visual, and flavorful elements to a wide variety of dishes and beverages. The tender, crisp greens are best showcased when consumed fresh and should be added at the end of plating to avoid wilting. The leaves can be added to hot and cold drinks such as teas, smoothies, milkshakes, and lemonade, and they can be used in cocktails as an unusual twist on classic drinks such as a mint julip. Mint Banana Tops can be used to decorate cakes, tarts, ice cream, sorbet, and other desserts, but the leaves can also be floated atop soups, tossed into salads, or mixed with fresh fruit and yogurt. Mint Banana Tops pair well with lime, pineapple, coconut, chocolate, honey, spirits like rum and vodka, and nuts like almonds, macadamia, and pistachio. Mint Banana Tops will generally keep 5 to 7 days stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
Mint has been a popular ingredient in beverages and cocktails for hundreds of years. The believed origin of one of these popular cocktails, the mojito, which features mint mixed with sugar cane, lime, and rum, can be traced to 16th century Havana, Cuba. Indigenous people in the area gave a medicinal remedy to English sailors that included sugar cane juice, mint leaves, and lime juice. This tonic helped to cure the scurvy outbreak on the ships. Impressed with how well it worked, the crew spread the recipe in Havana, and it quickly became a popular drink known as El Draque, named after Sir Francis Drake, the captain of the English vessel. Over time the drink’s name changed to mojito, possibly in reference to a lime-based seasoning known as mojo or a play on the word mojadito, meaning “a little wet.” Popularity of the cocktail was spread outside of Cuba in the mid-19th century by the Bacardi Rum Company. Mojitos were a popular drink during the United States prohibition era of the 1920s, spurred by a famous Ernest Hemingway quote professing his love of the cocktail. Although this quote has been proven to be a forgery, it still contributed significantly to the cocktail’s success in American speakeasies. Today, the mojito has seen a resurgence as mixology has taken the main stage in American cities, and the speakeasy experience has become a sought-after pastime. Mint Banana Tops can be used to create a play on this classic cocktail by adding a bright banana flavor and tropical aroma to this rum and mint drink.
Banana Mint is a hybrid mint variety developed from mentha, a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe. Mint was spread throughout Europe along various trade routes, naturalizing in many different areas. The origin of banana mint is relatively unknown, but the variety is believed to have been developed in France. Mint Banana Tops were developed at Fresh Origins in San Marcos, California, the leading American producer of naturally grown microgreens and Petite® Greens since the mid-1990s. The temperate climate of southern California allows Fresh Origins to produce their high-quality greens year-round, supplying produce retailers and chefs directly throughout the United States and Canada.
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Description/Taste
Mint Banana Tops are comprised of three to four twin leaflets that vary in size from 2 to 6 centimeters, connected opposite each other on a succulent, light green stem. The leaves are oval to lanceolate in shape with serrated edging, prominent parallel veining, and a soft fuzzy texture that contributes to the tender and succulent nature of the leaf. Mint Banana Tops have a sweet, tropical scent and a bright herbal flavor with a mild banana flavor and cooling finish.
Seasons/Availability
Mint Banana Tops are available year-round.
Current Facts
Mint Banana Tops are harvested from the top of the stem of the banana mint plant, botanically classified as Mentha arvensis L. Bananen. The tops are picked when the leaves are immature to maximize the mint’s sweet flavor and tender texture. Banana mint is a vigorous, spreading perennial herb with soft, fuzzy leaves and lilac flowers developed in France. Mint Banana Tops are part of a boutique line of specialty greens produced by Fresh Origins Farm in San Marcos, California, grown year-round and in-house in sprawling, sustainably-minded greenhouses. Mint tops are designed to add flavor and texture to various sweet and savory culinary recipes and beverages.
Nutritional Value
Mint Banana Tops are a significant source of vitamin A and vitamin C, two antioxidants that support the body’s immune system and cell production and division. The herb is also high in a variety of minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, a mineral that plays an essential role in how the body stores and uses energy and helps to filter waste in the kidneys.
Applications
Mint Banana Tops are best suited as an edible garnish and provide textural, visual, and flavorful elements to a wide variety of dishes and beverages. The tender, crisp greens are best showcased when consumed fresh and should be added at the end of plating to avoid wilting. The leaves can be added to hot and cold drinks such as teas, smoothies, milkshakes, and lemonade, and they can be used in cocktails as an unusual twist on classic drinks such as a mint julip. Mint Banana Tops can be used to decorate cakes, tarts, ice cream, sorbet, and other desserts, but the leaves can also be floated atop soups, tossed into salads, or mixed with fresh fruit and yogurt. Mint Banana Tops pair well with lime, pineapple, coconut, chocolate, honey, spirits like rum and vodka, and nuts like almonds, macadamia, and pistachio. Mint Banana Tops will generally keep 5 to 7 days stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Mint has been a popular ingredient in beverages and cocktails for hundreds of years. The believed origin of one of these popular cocktails, the mojito, which features mint mixed with sugar cane, lime, and rum, can be traced to 16th century Havana, Cuba. Indigenous people in the area gave a medicinal remedy to English sailors that included sugar cane juice, mint leaves, and lime juice. This tonic helped to cure the scurvy outbreak on the ships. Impressed with how well it worked, the crew spread the recipe in Havana, and it quickly became a popular drink known as El Draque, named after Sir Francis Drake, the captain of the English vessel. Over time the drink’s name changed to mojito, possibly in reference to a lime-based seasoning known as mojo or a play on the word mojadito, meaning “a little wet.” Popularity of the cocktail was spread outside of Cuba in the mid-19th century by the Bacardi Rum Company. Mojitos were a popular drink during the United States prohibition era of the 1920s, spurred by a famous Ernest Hemingway quote professing his love of the cocktail. Although this quote has been proven to be a forgery, it still contributed significantly to the cocktail’s success in American speakeasies. Today, the mojito has seen a resurgence as mixology has taken the main stage in American cities, and the speakeasy experience has become a sought-after pastime. Mint Banana Tops can be used to create a play on this classic cocktail by adding a bright banana flavor and tropical aroma to this rum and mint drink.
Geography/History
Banana Mint is a hybrid mint variety developed from mentha, a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe. Mint was spread throughout Europe along various trade routes, naturalizing in many different areas. The origin of banana mint is relatively unknown, but the variety is believed to have been developed in France. Mint Banana Tops were developed at Fresh Origins in San Marcos, California, the leading American producer of naturally grown microgreens and Petite® Greens since the mid-1990s. The temperate climate of southern California allows Fresh Origins to produce their high-quality greens year-round, supplying produce retailers and chefs directly throughout the United States and Canada.
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