Vietnamese Mint
About
Not actually a true mint, this piquant herb has a hot, peppery, acidic taste. It has narrow, pointed, purple tinted leaves, and is an essential ingredient in the Singaporean/Malaysian soup laksa.
Information
Physical Description
The top of the leaf is dark green, with burgundy mottling across the top of the leaves. The shape of the leaves are sharp and elongated. The stems of the plant are purple
Tasting Notes
Selecting and Buying
Plant in a warm, sunny position and keep the soil moist at all times. Vietnamese mint will grow quickly and needs cutting back to encourage the growth of leaves.
Preparation and Use
In Vietnam, this herb is used fresh and raw in salads and summer rolls, as well as in some soups such as canh chua and bún thang, and stews, such as fish kho tộ.
In Cambodia the leaf is used in salads, soups, stews, and the Cambodian summer rolls.
Conserving and Storing
Loosely wrap cleaned herbs in paper towels and store in zip-top bags in the refrigerator. Fresh herbs can also be dried and kept for up to six months.
Comments
July 10, 2011
There is a substantial difference between Vietnamese Mint and Vietnamese Coriander:
VIETNAMESE CORIDANDER, hot mint, daun laksa, daun kakok, daun kesum, laksa leaf
Botanical name Polygonum odoratum
Related to familiar smartweed and knotweed, rau ram is spicy with hints of cilantro. This is a hearty perennial herb, having endured several frosts at my Northern California home. Rau ram is great in the ground and can spread quite far. To contain the plant, grow it in a pot and let it spill from the rim. It may also be grown indoors, if there's good light. Some people say to substitute cilantro but I beg to differ. Rau ram's spiciness is unique.
Availability At Vietnamese markets in the states, rau ram is sold in bunches. Mail order plants from Richter.com or purchase them from nurseries. In California, you may even find rau ram plants at Home Depot! Fresh cuttings may be propagated by sticking them in water and letting them sprout roots; keep them on a window sill with some sun exposure.
VIETNAMESE MINT, Vietnamese Balm
Botanical name Elsholtzia ciliata
A lemony herb that's unparalleled in flavor. The delicate saw-edged leaves are terrific raw and typically accompany cooked foods such as grilled meats.
Availability Buy bunches at Vietnamese markets. Plants also sometimes sold in summertime at these markets. Richters Herb Catalogue from Canada offers plants. Fresh cuttings may be propagated by sticking them in water and letting them sprout roots; keep them on a window sill with some sun.
all due respect;
Ken
July 10, 2011
There is a substantial difference between Vietnamese Mint and Vietnamese Coriander:
VIETNAMESE CORIDANDER, hot mint, daun laksa, daun kakok, daun kesum, laksa leaf
Botanical name Polygonum odoratum
Related to familiar smartweed and knotweed, rau ram is spicy with hints of cilantro. This is a hearty perennial herb, having endured several frosts at my Northern California home. Rau ram is great in the ground and can spread quite far. To contain the plant, grow it in a pot and let it spill from the rim. It may also be grown indoors, if there's good light. Some people say to substitute cilantro but I beg to differ. Rau ram's spiciness is unique.
Availability At Vietnamese markets in the states, rau ram is sold in bunches. Mail order plants from Richter.com or purchase them from nurseries. In California, you may even find rau ram plants at Home Depot! Fresh cuttings may be propagated by sticking them in water and letting them sprout roots; keep them on a window sill with some sun exposure.
VIETNAMESE MINT, Vietnamese Balm
Botanical name Elsholtzia ciliata
A lemony herb that's unparalleled in flavor. The delicate saw-edged leaves are terrific raw and typically accompany cooked foods such as grilled meats.
Availability Buy bunches at Vietnamese markets. Plants also sometimes sold in summertime at these markets. Richters Herb Catalogue from Canada offers plants. Fresh cuttings may be propagated by sticking them in water and letting them sprout roots; keep them on a window sill with some sun.
all due respect;
Ken