Mint is an herb, which can surprise you at or away from the dinner table. Perhaps you have been gardening when suddenly you detect its unmistakable aroma. If you grow mint in your garden or happen to have mint growing wild there (as it does in many areas), then you have no doubt had the scent of fresh mint wafting over to you as you work outdoors. Mint of course is an herb with a distinctive flavor, which can be a surprising and flavorful addition to a multitude of dishes.

While mint is so prevalent in some areas as to be considered a weed, you can still grow mint on your own. Just be careful where you put it, because you will find that under the right circumstances, these herbs can be quite aggressive and choke out other, more fragile plants.

Mint prefers cool, shady areas with ample moisture, but can do well in full sun as well. Just one mint plant is probably enough to provide your entire household with mint - these plants are hardy and grow incredibly quick.

Mint leaves can be fresh or dried, and they can be used in a variety of foods from different nationalities. Fresh mint provides you with the strongest taste, try a fresh leaf, and you will find that there is a sweet, slightly cool aftertaste.

Mint can bring out the savor of meat particularly lamb. Mint is a common herb for mint dishes in the Middle East and in the UK and USA; mint jelly is often served along with lamb dishes.

Mint is used widely in Thai cooking as well. You may find a few mint leaves scattered across a bowl of spicy soups such as tom ka or served alongside noodle dishes as a condiment. Using mint can add structure to dishes, which would be cloying otherwise. Though not a terribly common herb in Indian cooking, they can add a welcome note of freshness to heavier dishes such as curries and soups like kahri.

Whether you grow mint in your garden, have a small plant in a kitchen window box, or buy it from your local produce market, you will find it to be a useful and versatile herb, which can be used in a whole variety of dishes. Just think of all of the possibilities of this herb to liven up your favorite dishes.

Of course, mint can be used in desserts as well as entrees. There are many varieties of mint available at farmer's markets and produce stores; try a little fresh chopped chocolate mint in a chocolate jell-o mousse for a light and refreshing dessert. A sprig of mint is also just the thing to enliven lemon jell-o. You can use mint as a garnish as well as an ingredient in many recipes.

In addition, of course, there is nothing as refreshing on a hot day as a frosty cold glass of iced tea with a fresh mint sprig. Just a light rub of the mint leaf with your fingers will release its powerful aroma and flavor. Mint is much more versatile than you may think - try adding it to your menus today!