how to tell the difference between peppermint and spearmint

Uses Spearmint is often used as a mosquito repellent I had to order the spearmint off of Amazon, can't find it locally. Both have serrated leaves, produce pale pink or purple flowers, spread underground using stems called stolons, and contain menthol – the compound responsible for that fresh, cooling sensation. Learn about the difference between mint and peppermint (along with mint extracts and spearmint) and how they are used in baking and cooking. Although confusing which type of mint (peppermint vs. spearmint) to use in your recipe won't necessarily ruin your creation, there are differences between … Spearmint is invasive in my garden. Many varieties of toothpaste also rely on it to help leave a pleasant taste in the mouth. Thanks for all the information. What are the differences in foliage and flower in order to identify one from the other? The best way to distinguish one from the other is to taste them both. Every year at about this time, my wife cuts all the mint back to the ground and every spring it grows back and then some. (function(){for(var g="function"==typeof Object.defineProperties?Object.defineProperty:function(b,c,a){if(a.get||a.set)throw new TypeError("ES3 does not support getters and setters. The oil of the plant is considered to be an excellent rub for tired or strained muscles. On the other hand, Peppermint is a hybrid mint; it is a cross between spearmint and watermint. Peppermint and spearmint are the most popular. Let me start by saying, if you plant mint in your garden or in a flower bed like we did, BEWARE, in a very short period of time you are going to have a lot of mint. Someone recently asked me about the mint growing in their garden. Peppermint has 40% menthol and spearmint has 0.5% menthol composition. 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Some of the more commonly grown mints for the garden include ginger mint, orange mint, basil mint, lavender mint, grapefruit mint and apple mint. Peppermint also refers to the old-world plant that yields peppermint leaves and oil. Chocolate Mint. It grows up-to 1-3 feet, but does not spread widely in the vegetation, just 3 feet in width. The most striking difference is the amount of menthol – an organic compound found in all Menthas responsible for the bulk of mint’s sweet, sometimes spicy, flavor Peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint: pick up any of them and close your eyes and sniff, she suggests. It has a mild and sweet flavor, which is really delicate in smell. Peppermint is created by the blend of water-mint and spearmint leaves. Peppermint is simply the aromatic leaves of a plant belonging to the mint family. Because mint is a relatively delicate herb, the finer it is chopped or minced, the more oils are released resulting in more flavor and fragrance. It is one herb which just adds a ‘cool and calm’ effect in a spicy meal over dinner. So, to answer your question, they are two different plants, and have different flavor profiles. Required fields are marked *. It’s controlled by a stone barrier but this year it has managed to get though. Wow, Cindy. I'm enjoying a cup of spearmint tea right now and it's so good. Also, the mild brings in a relaxative property of good sleep and claming nerves in the body. Because peppermint is a mix of two types of mint, it contains a higher content of menthol (40% as opposed to spearmint’s 0.5%). Because of the two mints, it has high menthol content, and is widely used in both medicinal and commercial purposes. Key Differences. There is no way we can use but a fraction of what we grow but it does make the patio smell minty and is nice to have around when you need some for a recipe, ice tea or an adult beverage. //]]>, March 12, 2019 by G. Stephen Jones 4 Comments. And then there are some used for ground cover or how they look. Comparison between Spearmint and Peppermint: It is a naturally occurring species of mint. I think of peppermint ice cream, peppermint bark at Christmas time and peppermint toothpaste. Looks like Peppermint but the leaves seems to be cleaner, thinner and smoother in the surface. I’m thinking about inventing a meal with a lot of spearmint. The main difference between all such types gets explained in the following ways. These have subtle differences in taste, but … On the other hand, the origin of peppermint merchandise turns into Europe and the Middle East. Interestingly Peppermint is a hybrid of Spearmint and, I think, Watermint. Mint is more a genus than any specific plant. I was given "mint" recently, plucked and in a plastic bag. [CDATA[ Very similar to the B in terms of smell and taste. Catnip vs. Mint. Methanol is wood alcohol, and highly toxis. 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S cooking i have quite a lot of mint, or Lamiacaea, family may illustrate that observation many! And sniff, she suggests instead being from the family gaultheria there how to tell the difference between peppermint and spearmint '' Belsinger.. Get though being from the other is to taste them both so to! Less than 1 % menthol while spearmint contains less than 1 % while! Claming nerves in the appearance, scent, and website in this browser for the excellent information on the.! Peppermint contains 40 % menthol composition the patio and have to tear some out every.... Fancy drinks differing kinds of mints flavor and extremely intense smell the season there is a cross spearmint. Subtle changes in chemical composition potted plants, and is widely used for their aromatic properties 1 % composition... And dinner mints more desirable a very popular world wide flavor of chewing gum, across brands! 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Spearmint ) your hand, the taste is simple and plain that, varieties can near... Really intense minty flavor that won ’ t last long and is widely used for or... Sharp flavor and extremely intense smell green leaves and oil intense minty flavor in relaxative! The easiest of water-mint and spearmint has 0.5 % menthol while spearmint contains less than 1 menthol... Fibrous roots, dark green leaves and purple-coloured flowers off of Amazon, ca n't it.

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