Chocolate Mint Adds the Perfect Hint

Mint is a unique plant that can develop flavors based on cross-pollination with other plants. This is where the flavored mints are developed such as pineapple, apple, orange and lemon mints. With mint growing wild across America, there can be so many varieties that have not been discovered.

In ancient times, mint was thought to be Menthe, the Greek god Pluto's mistress who was turned into the ground-clinging plant so she would not be able to leave the earth of mortals.

Now, you can buy the chocolate mint plants at , Lowe's and . Grow it in your house or in your yard. It thrives here in St. Louis. 

Here's a recipe for homemade breath savers using fresh mint:

Cold Water -- 1 cup
Sugar -- 3 cups
Cinnamon Stick -- 1 each
Fresh mint leaves -- 2 to 3 dozen

Directions:
Put one cup of sugar and one cup of cold water into a pot. Add the cinnamon stick. Heat it up until the sugar is totally dissolved. On a cookie sheet, sprinkle a thin layer of sugar over a section of the pan. When simple syrup is done, using tongs, dip each leaf into hot syrup for 3 to 5 seconds and then place the leaves in rows on the sugared area of the cookie sheet. Top with a thin layer of sugar and repeat until all leaves are covered. Place uncovered in dry area overnight. Save simple syrup to use again or as sweetener when you are making iced tea. The next morning, the mint leaves should be crispy like a chip.

Try one, and you have all-natural breath savers. It's a great garnish for a dessert. Remember to keep them in the sugar so the moisture in the air does not get to them. Also, save the sugar as it will have a great flavor. Use it on grapefruit in the morning, fresh granola for breakfast or on homemade cookies—just about anything. You can even break it up and use it for your next batch of breath savers.