Keto brownies could be the most present Keto dessert around the world wide web. You’ll find so many easy and quick recipes and standard brownie alternations. However, the chocolate and mint combination is rarely present. This combination has been celebrated through the famous after-eight dessert. The typical English dessert was created by Graham Edwards Rowntree and Company Limited in the UK in 1962. How can I connect this to Greek tradition and dessert preparation?

Modern Greeks and mint obsession

There’s no herb that is more used in Greek cuisine than mint. Meatballs? Yes, we add mint. Moussaka? We put in some mint too. Soups, stews, desserts, drinks and of course, iced tea! It grows on almost every balcony or garden in Greece. We like to use it freshly chopped or we always have some dried mint in our kitchen cabinets. The ancestors adored it, and so do we!

In our ancient mythology, the mint herb was devoted to Demeter, the Goddess of harvesting. Interestingly, her daughter, Persephone loved it too. A myth says that mint was created by the transformation of a Nymph named Minthê. She was favoured by Persephone’s husband Hades (God of the underworld). In resentment and passion, Demeter (Persephone’s mother) turned Minthê into a mint plant.

Strabo, Geography 8. 3. 14 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
“Near Pylos, towards the east, is a mountain named after Minthe, who, according to myth, became the concubine of Haides, was trampled under foot by Kore (Core) [Persephone], and was transformed into garden-mint, the plant which some call hedyosmos. Furthermore, near the mountain is a precinct sacred to Haides.”

Etymology

Both the Latin name Mentha and the Greek version Minthe have come to be associated with metamorphosed beauty. Historical records show that it has been used for treating skin and hair. Furthermore, as a breath freshener, mint leaves were chewed after each meal. All this has a strong connection with a physical appearance which was extremely important in ancient Greece and Rome. For this reason, mint has been used for baths and decoration as well. I would say, this belongs to the Aphrodite department.

Medicinal properties

Mint was traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal issues, body odour, bad breath, and insomnia in Ancient Greece. Today, it is used for treating bronchitis, headaches, fever, cold, and muscle pain. In Ancient Athens, it was customary to fragrance separate body parts with different herbs. The mint was the fragrance usually applied on the arms. Since the Romans were the ones to spread Greek culture all around Europe, it was introduced to England by them! Mint was mentioned by John Gardiner around 1440 as ‘myntys’. Turner, who was acknowledged as the Father of British Botany, believed it was good for ‘ye stomach’ and said it was pleasant in sauces.

Keto brownies with mint

To conclude this small historical overview, no herb or spice is Greeker than mint. This is why I decided to infuse my Keto brownies with some fresh and fragrant mint leaves. Of course, these Keto brownies will follow my three basic principles:

OLDFASHIONED
NATURAL AND HEALTHY
DELICIOUS

Would you like to beautify your Keto lives with some chocolate-mint adventure? Let’s make it more than just a dessert! With these macros, it can proudly be called a “no-guilt” Keto dessert.