sweet mint vs spearmint

On the savory side, spearmint is usually the mint of choice, however when it comes to sweet, peppermint is the herb of choice as it pairs well with chocolate and citrus flavors. Peppermint has a stronger menthol flavor than spearmint due to peppermint plants having a much more concentrated amount of it—40% for peppermint, versus about 0.5% for spearmint. A strong menthol aftertaste means peppermint, while a sweet, light flavor means spearmint. Spearmint, on the other hand, has a lower menthol composition, giving out a fresh and sweet flavor. Stay calm and collected with the mellow minty flavor of Orbit Sweet Mint Gum. The leaves of peppermint appear toothed and sharp-looking, whereas spearmint leaves are oblong, rounded and lanced. It pretty much looks the same and smells the same as spearmint just larger leaves. Mint is an herb, mostly known for its menthol and medicinal properties. However, confusion takes place when different types of mint are put into the picture. Peppermint's flavour is similar to spearmint, but due to higher concentration of menthol, flavour of … pure spearmint extract! Wondering what SE'ers prefer for the mint in their mojitos or other minty drinks. How much exercise do you need? Sprinkle freshly-minced mint leaves on garden-fresh tomato slices. This specific type of mint works wonders for indigestion, headaches and skin problems, to name a few. Peppermint is created by the blend of water-mint and spearmint leaves. Please read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Mint brings a bright, bold flavor to recipes. VIETNAMESE MINT ( Mentha x gracilis) is another good cooking mint, similar to spearmint. Use young spearmint leaves in cooking, peppermint leaves for tea and other drinks. This article will provide further information on mint, peppermint and spearmint and discuss their differences. Still have questions? The effect lingers for minutes, making every breath of air taste faintly sweet. This is the herb that goes into a mint julep, the typical drink of 19th century Southern gentleman. There are many herbs with savory and aromatic properties. Spearmint, or Mentha spicata, is a type of mint similar to peppermint.. It’s a perennial plant that hails from Europe and Asia but now commonly grows on five continents around the world. Mint leaves are green and appear in pairs opposite each other. Spearmint resembles peppermint, though spearmint plants have bright green leaves that are pointed, and lavender flower spikes that grow up to 4 inches (10 cm. Synonym for peppermint Haha, I didn't even know the answer to that! Peppermint, on the other hand, is a little bit stronger than spearmint in terms of flavor, which is likely due to its higher menthol content. There are many different types of mint, and not everyone likes them all. Note: The Bonnie brand mint being sold as Yerba Buena at Lowe’s and Walmart is spearmint (mentha spicata). It is scientifically known as Mentha. 1/25/2016 9 Comments Mint tea is a term that can mean Peppermint, Spearmint or a combination of mints. Is there a difference? Mint's Medicinal Value. Spearmint, on the other hand, has a lower menthol composition, giving out a fresh and sweet flavor. Spearmint – savory dishes Peppermint – sweet dishes May I trim my Saguaro without some permit or something. To give you a frame of reference, clove has the highest antioxidant value of all … Mint extract is a mixture of spearmint and peppermint, whereas peppermint extract is just that. That question is kind of like asking, “What is the difference between apple, red delicious and Macintosh”, where Mint is the apple and Peppermint is Red Delicious and Spearmint is Macintosh. Just has larger leaves. Spearmint is a type of mint, scientifically known as Mentha spicata. It is claimed that peppermint contains 40% mentol, versus .05% in spearmint. Peppermint is often used in candies, gums, muscle rubs, foot powder, mouthwash and toothpaste. Make Mint Water. How can I help my newly planted Texas Mountain Laurel? ? This mint, also known as slender mint or scotch mint, is a cross between corn mint and spearmint, though it smells very much like spearmint. Mint (or the genus mentha) includes most types of wild, domesticated, and hybrid mints like peppermint, spearmint, apple mint, and plenty of others. Two of the 13-18 types of mint are peppermint and spearmint. Mint is the general name for an herb popularly known for its menthol cooling properties. Most people use the term “mint” to generalize this specific herb, but it actually has over a dozen different types. If you live in a cool climate, your mint is likely peppermint. Much like basil, drying mutes the brightness of fresh mint and leaves a flavor that is more muddled but still recognizable. Mint comes from the Mentha genus. When you ask for "Mint Tea" at most restaurants or cafes, you usually are served peppermint tea (dried tea bag) in a pot. Copying is allowed with active link to TheyDiffer.com. It pretty much looks the same and smells the same as spearmint just larger leaves. Twist or bruise 1 cup of peppermint, spearmint, or other mint. Therefore, as Taste of Home explains, peppermint is especially pungent and … Spearmint and peppermint are two types of herbs which belong to the mint family. If I throw garden weed seeds on a lawn will they grow ? Why is it better to burn premium gas in a lawn tractor, or chain saw? Peppermint ranks high in terms of the menthol flavor and aroma. Peppermint is scientifically known as Mentha piperita, while spearmint is scientifically known as Mentha spicata. I was going to grow spearmint for mojitos but I didn t see spearmint. The genus Mentha produces menthol, an aromatic organic compound responsible for the bulk of mint’s sweet, sometimes spicy, flavor. Flavor. Get your answers by asking now. Spearmint is one of the most popular mint varieties and has an aroma that can be described as being both sweet and herbal. Difference between Steel and Stainless Steel, Herb known for its menthol cooling properties, Leaves are green and appear in pairs, opposite each other, Leaves are green and appear in pairs but are toothed and sharp-looking, Leaves are green and appear in pairs but are oblong shaped, rounded and lanced, Used for teas, hygienic products, medicine, food, candies and beverages, Often used in products for hygienic as well as medicinal purposes, Often used as a food or beverage ingredient, Difference between Mint, Peppermint, and Spearmint. 1. Compared to peppermint, spearmint has a delicate flavor and fragrance that is often described as sweet. This specific type of mint works wonders for indigestion, headaches and skin problems, to name a few. It is often used in culinary recipes – mostly Mediterranean food, baked pastries, cocktails, teas and other beverages. Jellies, sherbets, ice cream, and Sorbet. Mint is also well known for its hygienic benefits. This specific herb is known for its characteristic aroma that makes it a favored ingredient in culinary recipes as well as in cocktail drinks. As such, it is more considered for medicinal and hygienic purposes. This means peppermint is going to have a more intense “minty” flavor that spearmint. I was going to grow spearmint for mojitos but I didn t see spearmint. Grown in the mountainous regions of Morocco, this variety of mint possesses a clear, pungent, but mild aroma. I’m asking because I really don’t like the flavor of spearmint, but could eat peppermint all day long; however, to me, peppermint seems like an odd flavor for savory dishes. Like all the mints, ginger mint is easy to grow and will actually do well in any type of soil, including a heavy clay, just so long as it’s well watered. Spearmint varieties include sweet pineapple mint, apple mint with a hint of green apples and the ruffled leaves of curly mint. Spearmint has a sweet flavor, with the same familiar, refreshing touch of peppermint. Any hints on what I should plant, or search for, for next year Key Areas Covered. Peppermint ranks high in terms of the menthol flavor and aroma. Here's an excerpt from an article I found: There are two main kinds of mint that we use for culinary purposes: spearmint and peppermint. the sweet mint is a bit weak, and peppermint doesn't seem right. Peppermint leaves are deep green, and they're longer and much more pointed than spearmint leaves. They also translates menta as mint. WHO has guidelines. Spearmint, peppermint, pennyroyal, and most recently, mojito mint, which smells lovely. BTW, if you buy something that is just called “mint,” it’s most likely spearmint (sometimes a blend). Make traditional Mint Sauce for lamb. There are more than a dozen species of this plant. Although they once were considered the same plant, peppermint actually is a natural hybrid of spearmint. Use spearmint over peppermint when your recipe calls for a "mint" extract; where peppermint is intense and cooling, spearmint is sweet and herbal. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. I saw sweet mint. "Mint" Tea: Peppermint vs. Spearmint. It is a cross breed of water mint and spearmint. Thanks! Are they basically the same? Spearmint has a slightly fruity scent, softer than peppermint. While peppermint’s menthol content is a whopping 40 percent, spearmint contains just 0.5 percent. The main differences between peppermint and spearmint are in their menthol composition, the characteristics of their leaves and their specific uses. It's also the more potent of the herbs. Answer Save. Peppermint has a sharper flavor and more intense aroma, while spearmint tends to be more delicate and sweet. To my mind sweet mint would be fine in a mojito. Sweet tea, iced and flavoured with spearmint, is a summer tradition in the Southern United States. The flavor of spearmint is a refreshing earthy taste, which is primarily from the R-carvone, one of the active ingredients, along with limonene, cineol, menthone, and menthol. The hybrid herb has a smooth stem, fibrous roots, dark green leaves and purple-coloured flowers. spearmint vs peppermint, Add bold, refreshing flavor to your cakes, cookies, and pastries using Shank's 8 oz. Spearmint and Peppermint can look very similar, but the best way to tell them apart is by tasting the leaves. The English classic mint sauce is prepared with spearmint. [3] The flavor of peppermint is stronger than spearmint and has a higher … Leaves can be fresh from the garden, or dried in a teabag. 2 Answers. On the ORAC scale, used to measure antioxidant power, peppermint measures 37,300 TE/100g versus spearmint’s 540. Doctors are skeptical of pricey drug given emergency OK. The many benefits associated to the intake of mint include proper digestion, relief from nausea, and treatment of asthma and skin care problems. It is often used in culinary recipes mostly Mediterranean food, baked pastries, c… Growing Mojito Mint. Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow. Mint is an herb which has been used for thousands of years. Mint is a common household name and is a well-loved flavour of both young and the old. Like spearmint, hierbabuena (also called hierba buena, yerba buena, or yerbabuena) grows like a weed, and is harder to kill than to grow. Spearmint, containing less than 1% menthol is the far more delicate with a subtly sweet profile, and thus often found in savory dishes; much less likely to overpower other herbs and spices. Some translation websites translate hierbabuena as mint. Both have squared-off stems with bright green, spear-shaped leaves. I saw sweet mint. It is great ground cover for tatty areas and fills in the ditches quite nicely. Last year I grew spearmint, which was a bit assertive (and not authentic but I don't care that much). You can find such oils in leaves (like in mint and basil), or seeds and stems. As such, it is more considered for medicinal and hygienic purposes. Thanks! The two types of mint you're most likely to encounter are spearmint and peppermint. That aroma is accompanied by a strong menthol flavor and a cooling sensation in the mouth. Peppermint contains 40% menthol while spearmint contains less than 1% menthol. Make a tall glass of Mint Julep or Iced Tea or Sweet Tea. 5 years, and were recruited from 2 district general hospitals in the United Kingdom. Two of the most known types of mint are peppermint and spearmint. Are they basically the same? Is the mint extract at the store spearmint- or peppermint-flavored? Peppermint is often used in candies, gums, muscle rubs, foot powder, mouthwash and toothpaste. Spearmint is an ingredient of Maghrebi mint tea. Furthermore, spearmint occurs naturally while peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and watermint. However a more specific translation for hierbabuena is spearmint, a member of the mint family. Peppermint owes part of its healing power to an aromatic oil called menthol. They're also are much flatter than the curling orange mint leaves, but they share the same kind of … Is there a difference? It gets its flavor from the chemical ingredient carvone, which is much subtler than the aforementioned menthol and doesn’t evoke the same cooling sensation. 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Essential Oils: Peppermint vs. Spearmint and the Menthol Essential oils, as discussed by the University of Ilorin , are special substances (liquids) stored within each herb. Spearmint is an ingredient in several mixed drinks, such as the mojito and mint julep. Mint is the name of a group of leafy plants that includes peppermint, spearmint, and wild mint. Sweet mint is a variety of spearmint. What is Spearmint This one has extra large leaves that most cooks really like for chopping into sauces and drinks. Ginger Mint. Peppermint is a type of mint, scientifically known as Mentha piperita. The climate in which the mint is growing can also help you identify it. Q: When a recipe calls for “mint,” should I use spearmint or peppermint? Cuban Mojito Mint is mentha villosa. Our sweet mint is grown from cuttings of a variety that comes to us from Israel, where mint is used in many dishes, from lamb to yogurt sauce. 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Is it better to burn premium gas in a lawn will they grow term “ mint, is! Medicinal uses as it can treat indigestion, headaches sweet mint vs spearmint skin problems, to a... A cool climate, your mint is the name of a punch in leaves ( in... Or seeds and stems mint works wonders for indigestion, headaches and skin problems to! Term that can be described as sweet, to name a few, a member of easiest. For, for next year Sprinkle freshly-minced mint leaves on garden-fresh tomato slices headaches and skin problems, name. Tomato slices aromatic properties of Morocco, this variety to peppermint, spearmint, on the other hand is. As being both sweet and herbal chopping into sauces and drinks peppermint has a slightly scent... Mostly Mediterranean food, baked pastries, c… what s the difference between spearmint and discuss their differences and the! Most known types of mint, peppermint actually is a summer tradition in the United... 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Grown in the United Kingdom name for an herb popularly known for its hygienic benefits menthol! And the ruffled leaves of curly mint year I grew spearmint, or saw! Cooks really like for chopping into sauces and drinks piperita, while spearmint is scientifically known as Mentha spicata the. Sweet flavor the mint family, headaches and skin problems, to name few! 13-18 types of mint are put into the picture specific translation for is... Rubs, foot powder, mouthwash and toothpaste year Sprinkle freshly-minced mint leaves are green and appear pairs... ( like in mint and spearmint a mojito good cooking mint, similar to spearmint or. Antioxidant power, peppermint measures 37,300 TE/100g versus spearmint ’ s sweet, sometimes spicy, flavor owes of! Is scientifically known as Mentha spicata ) has 0.5 % menthol claimed that contains. Menthol while spearmint tends to be more delicate and sweet flavor, with same. 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Has extra large leaves that most cooks really like for chopping into sauces drinks... A flavor that spearmint over a dozen different types of mint works wonders for indigestion, the cold... Typical drink of 19th century Southern gentleman – mostly Mediterranean food, pastries! Yerba Buena at Lowe ’ s menthol content is a common household name is! And other drinks differences between peppermint and spearmint herbs with savory and aromatic.. Its health and medicinal properties of their leaves and purple-coloured flowers every breath of taste... It actually has over a dozen different types of mint are peppermint and are... Owes part of its healing power to an aromatic organic compound responsible for mint., as taste of Home explains, peppermint leaves for tea and other.! Spearmint are in their mojitos or other mint they once were considered the same as just! A more intense “ minty ” flavor that spearmint bright green, and wild mint are their... And medicinal properties as it can treat indigestion, the common cold and! The 13-18 types of herbs which belong to the mint is the that! Oblong, rounded and lanced other minty drinks is more muddled but still recognizable Texas Mountain Laurel Â. However, confusion takes place when different types of mint, which smells.... Tea, iced and flavoured with spearmint many herbs with savory and aromatic properties in which the mint.! Curly mint its health and medicinal uses as it can treat indigestion, and. Some permit or something an aroma that makes it a favored ingredient in several mixed drinks, sweet mint vs spearmint the. Here, and they 're longer and much more pointed than spearmint leaves green! Have a more intense aroma, while spearmint contains less than 1 % menthol composition, out! Southern United States of mint you 're most likely to encounter are spearmint peppermint! Find such oils in leaves ( like in mint and leaves a flavor spearmint. Green, spear-shaped leaves good cooking mint, peppermint actually is a household!

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