Is there a difference between mint and spearmint?
Spearmint, Mentha Spicata, is more popular as a garden mint. It can also grow wildly as a weed. While peppermint and spearmint plants are quite similar, there are slight differences in their physical appearance. Both have serrated leaf edges and a similar, ovate shape. They can both grow up to 3 feet tall in the right conditions.
Is spearmint a hybrid?
Spearmint (a.k.a. common mint, garden mint, and lamb mint) is part of the Spicata species and it occurs naturally, which means it’s not a hybrid. It’s native to parts of Europe and Asia. Like peppermint, it is used for its leaves and the oil derived from its leaves.
What does spearmint mean?
Spearmint gets its name from its leaves, which compared to other mints are, as you guessed it, spear-shaped. Its botanical name is also taken from its pointy foliage -- Mentha Spicata means “spike bearing” mint.
Is spearmint a valuable plant?
In today’s world, it may not be monetarily valuable, but it is just as useful. From being used in cocktails, teas, mint jelly, and non-traditional medicines, to candles and oils, the plant’s use has spread as much as it does in the garden. Growing spearmint is not hard.
See more
What is the difference between spearmint and mint?
1. Menthol: Both spearmint and peppermint contain menthol, but spearmint has 0.5 percent menthol while peppermint has forty percent menthol, giving peppermint its signature numbing flavor.
What is the difference between mint and peppermint?
The main difference between mint and peppermint is that peppermint has the strongest flavour when compared to other members of the mint family. Since peppermint has a strong flavour, it is not often used as fresh herbs for cuisines. It is often processed into peppermint oil and used as a flavouring.
Is there a difference between mint and spearmint tea?
Peppermint tea has a stronger, more peppery taste than spearmint, and its high menthol content means it has a sharp cooling sensation on your tongue. Spearmint tea offers a sweeter, lighter flavor, and makes a delicious iced tea.
Can I use spearmint instead of mint?
If you are looking for a really intense minty flavor in a dish, peppermint is the way to go. If you are looking for a milder minty flavor that won't overwhelm your dish, spearmint is the better choice.
What do you use fresh spearmint for?
So if you have more mint on your hands than you know what to do with, here are seven deliciously refreshing recipes with mint!...7 Tasty Ways to Use Fresh MintMint Tea. ... Mint Ice Cubes. ... Chocolate Dipped Mint Leaves. ... Watermelon Salad. ... Mint Pesto. ... Hugo Cocktails. ... Chickpea, Barley, and Zucchini Ribbon Salad.
Can you eat spearmint leaves Raw?
Are the leaves just for flavor or can you eat them? Mint is a member of the Lamiaceae family, consisting of about 15 to 20 species, such as spearmint and peppermint, all of which are perfectly fine to eat raw or cooked. Mint leaves are a favored herb that people use, dried or fresh in many dishes and infusions.
Is it safe to drink spearmint tea everyday?
Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts. Kidney disorders: Spearmint tea might increase kidney damage. Using large amounts of spearmint tea might make kidney disorders worse. Liver disease: Spearmint tea might increase liver damage.
Which is better for digestion spearmint or peppermint?
Characteristics of Peppermint: Stronger, more "peppery" flavor than spearmint. Higher in menthol, giving intense cooling sensation. Notorious for digestion, pain reduction and relaxation.
Can you substitute peppermint for mint?
So, how do you use peppermint extract as a mint substitute? For each tablespoon of chopped mint leaves, you may use four drops of peppermint extract (or a single drop of peppermint oil).
Is peppermint made from mint leaves?
Peppermint is created by the blend of water-mint and spearmint leaves. The hybrid herb has a smooth stem, fibrous roots, dark green leaves and purple-coloured flowers. Peppermint's flavour is similar to spearmint, but due to higher concentration of menthol, flavour of peppermint is more pronounced.
Does mint keep mice away?
Mice can be easily avoided around your household by simply adding the scent of peppermint in corners where they congregate. Yes, that's right, peppermint.
Is mint and peppermint tea the same?
The two are similar in flavor, but our Mint tea contains a higher concentration of menthol, making its flavor more robust and more pronounced. The menthol makes the Mint tea taste like a classic crisp mint, while we describe our Peppermint tea as a buttery mint.
What is Sweet Mint?
Sweet mint is a type of mint that is native to Europe and the Mediterranean region. It has a sweet, refreshing flavor and is often used in desserts, drinks, and sauces. Sweet mint is also popular for its medicinal properties it can treat stomachaches, nausea, and diarrhea.
History of Sweet Mint
Sweet mint has a long and varied history. It’s thought to have originated in the Middle East or North Africa and has been used for centuries in both cooking and medicine. They brought sweet mint to America by early settlers, and it quickly became a staple in both the culinary and medicinal traditions of the country.
What is Spearmint?
Spearmint is another type of mint that is native to Europe and the Mediterranean region. It has a slightly sharper flavor than sweet mint and is often used in savory dishes, such as salads and lamb dishes.
History of Spearmint
English settlers, who used it as a seasoning and medicine brought spearmint to America. It quickly established itself in American cuisine, although it didn’t become as popular as sweet mint until the 19th century. Today, both plants are native to North America.
Flavor Comparison: Sweet Mint Vs Spearmint
Sweet mint and spearmint both have a fresh flavor because of their high levels of menthol. However, that’s where the similarities end! Spearmint has a much stronger flavor that can overpower other ingredients in a dish.
Sweet Mint And Spearmint: How to Use Them
It is possible to use both plants in a few different ways. Here are a few tips on how to use each plant to make the most out of their unique flavors.
Benefits of Spearmint And Sweet Mint
Sweet Mint: It is a versatile herb with a sweet, refreshing flavor. It’s used in many dishes, both sweet. Sweet mint also has some amazing medicinal properties. It can treat stomachaches, nausea, diarrhea, and other digestive problems. They have also shown it to be effective in treating mental and emotional problems like anxiety and depression.
Why Is My Mint Plant Dying
After you see some good root growth, you’ll want to plant each cutting into its own 6-8″ pot filled with potting soil. Let them continue to grow for 3-4 weeks before transplanting outside. You can likewise root your cuttings directly into pots filled with potting soil.
Moroccan Mint Seeds
Keep your containers well watered, specifically while your peppermint gets established. If you want to sink the containers into your garden, leave about 2″ of the rim standing out aboveground. One of the best parts about growing peppermint is that it’s extremely easy to care for.
Peppermint Place Tv Show
Our gardening consumed editors and authors choose every product we review. We may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase from among our product links, at no extra expense to you.
Where Can I Get Mint Plants
After you see some good root development, you’ll want to plant each cutting into its own 6-8″ pot filled with potting soil. Let them continue to grow for 3-4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. You can also root your cuttings straight into pots filled with potting soil.
Growing Mint From Cuttings
Keep your containers well watered, particularly while your peppermint gets developed. If you wish to sink the containers into your garden, leave about 2″ of the rim sticking out aboveground. One of the very best parts about growing peppermint is that it’s really simple to look after.
Mint Plant Leaves Turning Brown
Our gardening consumed editors and writers pick every item we evaluate. We may make an affiliate commission if you purchase from among our product links, at no extra expense to you.
Why is spearmint used in medicine?
Spearmint is used to improve memory, digestion, stomach problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Does spearmint tea affect kidneys?
Stay on the safe side and avoid using in amounts greater than those found in food. Kidney disorders: Spearmint tea might increase kidne y damage. Higher amounts of spearmint tea seem to have greater effects. In theory, using large amounts of spearmint tea might make kidney disorders worse.
Is spearmint oil safe to eat?
When taken by mouth: Spearmint and spearmint oil are LIKELY SAFE when eaten in amount commonly found in food. Spearmint is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine, short-term. Side effects are very uncommon. Some people might have an allergic reaction to spearmint.
Does spearmint tea help with knee pain?
Osteoarthritis. Early research shows that drinking spearmint tea reduces pain and stiffness by a small amount in people with knee osteoarthritis. Nausea and vomiting after surgery. Use of aromatherapy with oils of ginger, spearmint, peppermint, and cardamom seems to reduce symptoms of nausea in people after surgery.
Does spearmint help with memory?
Decline in memory and thinking skills that normally occurs with age. Early research shows that taking an extract of a special type of spearmint daily might help with thinking skills in older adults who have started to notice problems with thinking.
Can you use spearmint tea while pregnant?
Very large doses of spearmint tea might damage the uterus. Avoid using large amounts of spearmint during pregnancy. Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if spearmint is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid using in amounts greater than those found in food.
How did spearmint get its name?
Spearmint gets its name from its leaves, which compared to other mints are, as you guessed it, spear-shaped. Its botanical name is also taken from its pointy foliage -- Mentha Spicata means “spike bearing” mint. It is in these delicious pointy leaves that the magic happens. Featured Video. The chemical that affects flavor ...
How many varieties of spearmint are there?
They are all beautifully scented, useful herbs from the genus Mentha that can make terrific additions to a garden. Though there are over 600 varieties or cultivars of mint, spearmint, deserves a closer look as to why you might need to give this hardy perennial a spot in your garden.
How tall does lavender mint grow?
Lavender Mint, Mentha x piperita 'Lavender', is as ornamental as it is aromatic. This beauty has large purple blooms and can reach heights to 36 inches. There is also a tricky version of spearmint known as curly-leaf mint, Mentha spicata 'crispa'.
What chemical affects the flavor of spearmint?
The chemical that affects flavor and aroma in most mint plants is menthol, but spearmint actually has a minimal amount of this compound compared to other species and varieties. What sets spearmint apart is a chemical called carvone.
How long does it take for spearmint to germinate?
If you choose to start from seed start the process indoors eight to ten weeks before the last frost. Indoors, seeds will germinate in about two weeks. Keep the soil moist till there is germination and then mist daily, but take care not to saturate the soil.
What zone does spearmint grow in?
Spearmint thrives in USDA zones 4a to 11 and does not tolerate the cold. It does well indoors on a window or under a grow light.
How to identify spearmint?
Apple mint, Mentha suaveolens, is easy to identify. It has softly rounded leaves, and its stems and leaves are covered in fine fluffy hairs called trichomes.
What do spearmint leaves look like?
Spearmint leaves are smooth. The edges of the leaves look like they’d be spiky or sharp, but they’re flexible and gentle.
What kind of mints grow well in Anchorage?
Here’s an overview comparison of three different kinds of mints that grow well for me in Anchorage, Alaska: spearmint, apple mint & chocolate mint.
How to tell if mint is chocolate?
The chocolate scent is nice, and once you’ve smelled/tasted at least one other type of mint side-by-side, it’s easy to tell which is the chocolate. Chocolate mint plants have purple stalks and veins in their leaves. The flowers are also purple. Spearmint is the hardiest for outdoor gardens in cool climates.
Which is the hardiest herb to grow in?
Spearmint is the hardiest for outdoor gardens in cool climates.
Is apple mint more delicate than spearmint?
But it has a nice, sweet mint scent and flavor. Even though its leaves get massive, I’d consider apple mint to be a more delicate and fragile mint than spearmint. A patch of outdoor apple mint also doesn’t seem to grow in as densely as spearmint or chocolate mint.
Is apple mint taller than spearmint?
While we’ve had the spearmint for 4 years, we decided to try a new type, too: apple mint. The mint stalks get much taller than spearmint, and the leaves are much larger & softer.
Is spearmint good for cold weather?
Spearmint is a dependable cold weather mint. It stands up well in the wind, doesn’t get burnt by Alaska’s summer midnight sun, doesn’t mind if our summers get hot or stay cool, & it has proven to be very winter hardy. Spearmint leaves are smooth.
What is the difference between spearmint and peppermint?
Both spearmint and peppermint produce flowers. Spearmint flowers grow in a cone-shaped arrangement in small bunches at the top of the stem. Spearmint flowers are pink or white while peppermint flowers are mostly a darker shade of pink than spearmint flowers.
How to tell if peppermint is spearmint?
One of the easiest methods of telling peppermint apart from spearmint is by tasting the leaves. Peppermint has an intense minty taste while spearmint has a mild taste. This is because, peppermint contains higher concentrations of methanol, the chemical that gives mint its minty taste. Peppermint has a 40% methanol concentration while spearmint has 0.5%.
How to grow peppermint from cuttings?
Get some healthy mint cuttings either from a mint plant in your garden or a grocery store. Strip the bottom 2” of the stem of its leaves. Dip the lower bottom of the cutting in a growth hormone and then plant the cuttings directly in the soil or glass water.
How to make peppermint tea?
You can easily make peppermint or spearmint tea at home by infusing the mint leaves in hot water and then sweetening the tea with honey. You can also consume the tea unsweetened or ice cold.
How tall do peppermint and spearmint plants grow?
Both have serrated leaf edges and a similar, ovate shape. They can both grow up to 3 feet tall in the right conditions.
How many types of mint are there?
There are over 15 types of mint but spearmint and peppermint are the most popular. But, do they differ? Here’s a comparison of peppermint vs spearmint.
What is spearmint used for?
The usability of both spearmint and peppermint goes beyond culinary purposes. They are both used to make essential oils. They are also infused in different cosmetic, body care, and hygiene products including soap, shower gel, mouthwashes, lotion, etc.
What is spearmint tea good for?
Like peppermint, spearmint tea has long been used for medicinal purposes — particularly for stomach-related issues. It is also purported to help everything from sore throats to toothaches.
Where does mint come from?
Mint is a type of aromatic herb that comes from a genus of plants known as Mentha in the family Lamiaceae. Known for its bright flavor and fresh scent, fresh and dried mint leaves are found in cuisines all over the world. The herb is particularly common in the Middle East, where it's used to flavor curries and other dishes.
What is peppermint used for?
Medicinal Uses. Peppermint has been used medicinally for centuries for its potential calming effects, often in the form of tea. It is also believed to alleviate gastrointestinal woes like nausea, gas, diarrhea, and indigestion.
How many varieties of mint are there?
Gardeners can choose from more than 600 varieties of mint, which is relatively easy to grow and care for. Two of the most common types, spearmint and peppermint, are also two of the most commonly confused types. Here’s how to tell the difference:
Is spearmint a hybrid?
Credit: Tamari Dundua/EyeEm/Getty Images. Spearmint (a.k.a. common mint, garden mint, and lamb mint) is part of the Spicata species and it occurs naturally, which means it’s not a hybrid. It’s native to parts of Europe and Asia.
Is peppermint the same as spearmint?
Gum chewers, holiday bakers, and essential oil enthusiasts know that spearmint and peppermint are not the same thing — but what, exactly, sets one apart from the other? The differences in flavor and use are subtle, but they do exist. Let’s break this down:
