Making a tincture from 0.5 lb of mint leaves..Should I use 90% ethanol or 40%?

[Elite Engineer]

I'm not sure which would be better. I ask because I'm worried using 90% etoh will have an overpowering smell on the final solution.

Also, 40% may not be as effective as 90%.

 

Thoughts?

 

~ee

[John Cuthber]

What do you want the tincture for?

Have you considered how much water is in the leaves?
Did you do a "trial run" experiment on a small scale?

[Elite Engineer]

Using it mostly for smell for the house, I really enjoy the smell of mint. No I haven' done a small scale trial run. I only have 1500 ml of 40% etoh to which I'm not sure if I should distill or not. I don't really want to distill a small amount just for a small scale experiment

Edited June 19, 2018 by Elite Engineer

[StringJunky]

18 minutes ago, Elite Engineer said:

Using it mostly for smell for the house, I really enjoy the smell of mint. No I haven' done a small scale trial run. I only have 1500 ml of 40% etoh to which I'm not sure if I should distill or not. I don't really want to distill a small amount just for a small scale experiment

What you are looking for is to make essential oil from it... Google that.  You could then use that oil to make scented candles. You can buy mint oil, so I imagine you could make it. I just read it takes 265lb of leaves to make 1lb of oil.

Edited June 19, 2018 by StringJunky

[Sensei]

1 hour ago, Elite Engineer said:

Using it mostly for smell for the house, I really enjoy the smell of mint. No I haven' done a small scale trial run. I only have 1500 ml of 40% etoh to which I'm not sure if I should distill or not. I don't really want to distill a small amount just for a small scale experiment

Scientist-to-be make experiments, to gain knowledge, and experience. Failure might teach you more than success. Because you will have to repeat experiment.

Why not try to put (blended?) mint leaves in sugar solution 1410.. ? Then distill it after two-tree weeks or so. It will cost as much as 1 kg of sugar. So if it won't have acceptable smell, you will throw it away.

[John Cuthber]

14 hours ago, Sensei said:

 

Why not try to put (blended?) mint leaves in sugar solution 1410.. ? Then distill it after two-tree weeks or so.

Because you will make something that smells of moonshine