1/25/2016 9 Comments Mint tea is a term that can mean Peppermint, Spearmint or a combination of mints. Learn how your comment data is processed. Related: 30 Peppermint Desserts to Make This Christmas Season. Cuban Mojito Mint is mentha villosa. Mint is a perennial and wide-growing herb that grows wild. It is … Someone recently asked me about the mint growing in their garden. 1:09. This explains why it is so much more potent than its counterpart. Source. This means peppermint is going to have a more intense “minty” flavor that spearmint. It’s enough to use as a vegetable rather than just a flavoring. Native to parts of Europe and the Middle East, peppermint has a distinct cooling effect and can actually lower the temperature of your mouth. Flowers. Appearance wise, peppermint has fuzzy leaves with jaggedly toothed edges. Each dates back 5,000 years to ancient Egypt and India, where they were valued for the effects of their oils, though those substances were used for different purposes. Spearmint vs Peppermint. common mint, garden mint, and lamb mint) is part of the Spicata species and it occurs naturally, which means it’s not a hybrid. Who hasn’t heard of peppermint? Summary of Spearmint and Peppermint. Spearmint has green stems with occasionally a light purple hue, but way less prominent than in peppermint. how to tell the difference between peppermint and spearmint . Peppermint is also good for digestion. All Recipes. 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. (e in b)&&0=b[e].o&&a.height>=b[e].m)&&(b[e]={rw:a.width,rh:a.height,ow:a.naturalWidth,oh:a.naturalHeight})}return b}var C="";u("pagespeed.CriticalImages.getBeaconData",function(){return C});u("pagespeed.CriticalImages.Run",function(b,c,a,d,e,f){var r=new y(b,c,a,e,f);x=r;d&&w(function(){window.setTimeout(function(){A(r)},0)})});})();pagespeed.CriticalImages.Run('/mod_pagespeed_beacon','http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/peppermint-spearmint-differences/','82dtZm2p5Q',true,false,'IuEzNLf71JM'); These flavors and fragrances don’t last long and is why I chop and add them to the dish just before serving. You can always rely on Peppermint to get the job done, but Wintergreen is a breath of fresh air in more ways than one! I had peppermint in a garden plot bounded by a stone sidewalk. Peppermint is created by the blend of water-mint and spearmint leaves. Peppermint ice cream is a carnival of pleasure, something that cannot be said about the lumpy mixture of spearmint, chocolate chip and ice cream (and trust me, I’m trying to be kind here). 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. Remember, not all mints are used for cooking or making fancy drinks. The flowers of spearmint have blue or pink bloom while the flowers of peppermint have purple bloom. The essential oils are gathered by CO2 or cold extraction of the fresh aerial parts of the flowering plant. Leaves can be fresh from the garden, or dried in a teabag. Peppermint has 40% menthol and spearmint has 0.5% menthol composition. Saved by Anna Donaldson. Spearmint is lower in menthol, the compound that gives the plant its minty properties, compared to peppermint. Two of the most common types, spearmint and peppermint, are also two of the most commonly confused types. Spearmint and peppermint are used for many of the same purposes, but they aren’t the same plant. Its subtle sweetness makes spearmint perfect for pairing with savory flavors. ");b!=Array.prototype&&b!=Object.prototype&&(b[c]=a.value)},h="undefined"!=typeof window&&window===this?this:"undefined"!=typeof global&&null!=global?global:this,k=["String","prototype","repeat"],l=0;lb||1342177279>>=1)c+=c;return a};q!=p&&null!=q&&g(h,n,{configurable:!0,writable:!0,value:q});var t=this;function u(b,c){var a=b.split(". The hybrid herb has a smooth stem, fibrous roots, dark green leaves and purple-coloured flowers. Known for its bright flavor and fresh scent, fresh and dried mint leaves are found in cuisines all over the world. Summary of Spearmint and Peppermint. Add comma separated list of ingredients to exclude from recipe. What's the Difference between Public Relations and Editorial? But none of these products, from toothpaste to BLOG. When you ask for "Mint Tea" at most restaurants or cafes, you usually are served peppermint tea (dried tea bag) in a pot. April 20, 2020. Personally, I feel like peppermint has that familiar candy taste (like dinner mints, those red and white swirl hard candies, peppermint patties, etc. This is a feature common to many species of the Mentha genus. We have mint in our back yard next to the patio and have to tear some out every year. I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. Is all peppermint essential oil the same? It just keeps coming. You can also use it to make pungent extracts for baking. Even though peppermint and spearmint belong to the same mint family, it is apparent they have many distinguishing characteristics. Peppermint contains 40% menthol while spearmint contains less than 1% menthol. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Its flavor is potent and slightly spicy (peppery, if you will). Peppermint is often paired with sweet ingredients, particularly during the holiday season. (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. Peppermint's flavour is similar to spearmint, but due to higher concentration of menthol, flavour of peppermint … They may look the same and even have similar aromas, but they are not the same. I believe the term mint is invasive. The best way to distinguish one from the other is to taste them both. It's fascinating to experience the subtle differences in the appearance, scent, and flavor of differing kinds of mints. Browse more videos. But the two most popular and I’m guessing the two you are most likely going to find in your garden are peppermint and spearmint. Spearmint vs Peppermint: Are They The Same? 7 days ago | 5 views. "Mint" Tea: Peppermint vs. Spearmint. ("naturalWidth"in a&&"naturalHeight"in a))return{};for(var d=0;a=c[d];++d){var e=a.getAttribute("data-pagespeed-url-hash");e&&(! Roast beef is a classic main dish for holidays, family get-togethers, and elegant dinners alike. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. On the ORAC scale, used to measure antioxidant power, peppermint measures 37,300 TE/100g versus spearmint’s 540. Let’s break this down: Mint is a type of aromatic herb that comes from a genus of plants known as Mentha in the family Lamiaceae. It is used for its leaves and the oil derived from its leaves. No gift befits the food-obsessed people in your life like a cookbook. The leaves, which are warm and fresh with a uniquely cooling aftertaste, are used in everything from sauces and soups to candies and ice creams. It is used for its leaves and the oil derived from its leaves. Enough for all the mint juleps, mojitos or recipes you will ever consume. Spearmint, also known as garden mint, common mint, lamb mint and mackerel mint, is a species of mint, Mentha spicata, native to Europe and southern temperate Asia, extending from Ireland in the west to southern China in the east.It is naturalized in many other temperate parts of the world, including northern and southern Africa, North America and South America. The flavor of peppermint is stronger than spearmint and has a higher menthol content, which … I think of peppermint ice cream, peppermint bark at Christmas time and peppermint toothpaste. Mint extract is a mixture of spearmint and peppermint, whereas peppermint extract is just that. This means peppermint is going to have a more intense “minty” flavor that spearmint. Peppermint and spearmint are both in the Mentha genus, but peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica). Because it contains 40 percent menthol, peppermint packs a pretty extreme cooling punch. Peppermint vs. Spearmint. Spearmint Essential Oil is Different From Peppermint Oil, Read Its Benefits and Uses Updated at: Oct 23, 2020 Spearmint and peppermint are two different plants of the same mint family. The spearmint will produce pink or blue flowers that will be in terminal clusters and the flowers will taper. "Mint" Tea: Peppermint vs. Spearmint. Peppermint contains 40% menthol while spearmint contains less than 1% menthol. If you are looking for a really intense minty flavor in a dish, peppermint is the way to go. Some are used for their medicinal properties while others are used just for their aromatic properties. Spearmint and peppermint are two types of herbs which belong to the mint family. Both spearmint and peppermint have square stems and some hair (although slightly more on spearmint) around them. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita, also known as Mentha balsamea Wild) is a hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. The leaves of peppermint appear toothed and sharp-looking, whereas spearmint leaves are oblong, rounded and lanced. If I’m going to add mint to a recipe while it’s cooking I have two choices. Sunday, 06 December 2020 / Published in Uncategorized. Spearmint is invasive in my garden. Report. Spearmint vs Peppermint: Are They The Same? Add comma separated list of ingredients to include in recipe. Peppermint belongs to the Piperita species and is a hybrid between watermint and spearmint. Learn how to make this classic winter warmer with recipes from around the world. When you put them against each other, spearmint vs peppermint, and compare their differences, you’ll find that they are, in fact, quite different from each other! Peppermint vs. Spearmint: What's the Difference? From their appearance to leaves properties, uses, and flavors, it should be easy to identify one from each other now. Growing Mojito Mint. Jenny Dettrick/Getty Images, Credit: While spearmint and peppermint have a lot in common, they are different species. Your email address will not be published. It is also believed to alleviate gastrointestinal woes like nausea, gas, diarrhea, and indigestion. But none of these products, from toothpaste to The best way to distinguish one from the other is to taste them both. 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. Peppermint is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. The differences in flavor and use are subtle, but they do exist. I have always stuck to spearmint tea for hirsutism, however there are women, like Arlene, who have also seen benefits from drinking peppermint tea. Absolutely not! Peppermint has been used medicinally for centuries for its potential calming effects, often in the form of tea. There are hundreds of mint varieties. 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 © Copyright 2020, Our Top 20 Most Cherished Christmas Cookies, Make-Ahead Breakfast Minis to Save Your Mornings, 15 Classic Sandwiches That Make Lunch Legendary, 14 Nights of Dinner Ideas All Under $2 Per Serving, 15 No-Yeast Breads for Quick and Easy Baking, 10 Easy Christmas Cookies for Once-a-Year Bakers, 10 Chicken Stew Recipes That Make for Comforting Dinners, 10 Leftover Turkey Meals to Freeze for Quick Weeknight Dinners, 16 Mom-Approved Christmas Cookies to Sweeten the Season, 18 Spicy Korean Recipes That Showcase Gochujang Chile Paste, 30 Peppermint Desserts to Make This Christmas Season. Peppermint and spearmint are both in the Mentha genus, but peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica). If you crush a leaf in your hand, it’s going to have a strong minty aroma. There are many differences between spearmint and peppermint plants, from the leaves, flowers and flavor of the two herb plants to their most popular uses. It is used for its leaves and the oil derived from its leaves. Jon Harari. Peppermint is often used as a stimulant, I don't know about spearmint. I’m thinking about inventing a meal with a lot of spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita, also known as Mentha balsamea Wild.) ":"&")+"url="+encodeURIComponent(b)),f.setRequestHeader("Content-Type","application/x-www-form-urlencoded"),f.send(a))}}}function B(){var b={},c;c=document.getElementsByTagName("IMG");if(!c.length)return{};var a=c[0];if(! Looking at peppermint and spearmint with your eyes and smelling them with your nose is not going to reveal which is which. In all likelihood, it might be difficult to detect those flavor differences when covered up with the sweetness of chewing gum/mints. Peppermint belongs to the Piperita species and is a hybrid between watermint and spearmint. You can always rely on Peppermint to get the job done, but Wintergreen is a breath of fresh air in more ways than one! 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. Peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint: pick up any of them and close your eyes and sniff, she suggests. Peppermint leaves have the standard mint leaf appearance, which make them better for beautifying dishes or beverages. Here's a chocolate that won't pack on the pounds. I like spearmint fesh leaves in my sun tea with regular (decaf) tea and honey. It’s controlled by a stone barrier but this year it has managed to get though. When you ask for "Mint Tea" at most restaurants or cafes, you usually are served peppermint tea (dried tea bag) in a pot. Unlike spearmint, peppermint contains 40% menthol and gets its cooling properties from there. To learn more about me... Read More…. 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%). As we already covered, both spearmint and peppermint are members of the same family and thus have rather similar properties as it relates to appearance, cultivation, flavor, and use. From their appearance to leaves properties, uses, and flavors, it should be easy to identify one from each other now. The most active ingredients include menthol (50–60 percent) and menthone (10–30 percent). Spearmint and peppermint are the most commonly used verities of mint in cooking and medication. Spearmint gets its delicate and sweet flavor from a chemical called carvone. BY Ellen Gutoskey. Peppermint. Sunday, 06 December 2020 / Published in Uncategorized. Allrecipes is part of the Meredith Food Group. Cyndi Monaghan/Getty Images, Credit: is a hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. These properties also belong to spearmint. Peppermint vs. Spearmint. Two of the 13-18 types of mint are peppermint and spearmint. So if you grab a leaf of your garden mint and taste it, if it has a really strong minty aftertaste, you are dealing with peppermint. While spearmint and peppermint have a lot in common, they are different species. Note: The Bonnie brand mint being sold as Yerba Buena at Lowe’s and Walmart is spearmint (mentha spicata). And though peppermint is perhaps the better known of the two, it’s actually a natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint. Mint is the general name for an herb popularly known for its menthol cooling properties. Despite the fact that most recipes and even grocery stores refer to mint as if it's a single herb, there are over 15 types of mint, including spearmint, peppermint, orange mint, and apple mint. Mint comes from the Mentha genus. It's not a hard and fast rule, as I love spearmint gelato. It went UNDER the sidewalk and came up in the grass on the other side! "),d=t;a[0]in d||!d.execScript||d.execScript("var "+a[0]);for(var e;a.length&&(e=a.shift());)a.length||void 0===c?d[e]?d=d[e]:d=d[e]={}:d[e]=c};function v(b){var c=b.length;if(0=a.length+e.length&&(a+=e)}b.i&&(e="&rd="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify(B())),131072>=a.length+e.length&&(a+=e),c=!0);C=a;if(c){d=b.h;b=b.j;var f;if(window.XMLHttpRequest)f=new XMLHttpRequest;else if(window.ActiveXObject)try{f=new ActiveXObject("Msxml2.XMLHTTP")}catch(r){try{f=new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP")}catch(D){}}f&&(f.open("POST",d+(-1==d.indexOf("?")?"? It contains .05 percent menthol, so it doesn’t have quite the cooling effect of peppermint. This means spearmint usually has a sweeter, milder flavor while peppermint … Mint essential oil, meanwhile, is widely used for flavoring breath fresheners, baked goods, and candies. 1/25/2016 9 Comments Mint tea is a term that can mean Peppermint, Spearmint or a combination of mints. Chocolate Mint. Plant Properties. Peppermint vs. Cornmint. As we already covered, both spearmint and peppermint are members of the same family and thus have rather similar properties as it relates to appearance, cultivation, flavor, and use. I can chop it up so it is part of the dish that will be eaten or I can add whole stems to the pot while it is cooking making it easier to remove at the end. 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. Playing next. Spearmint vs Peppermint. Like spearmint, hierbabuena (also called hierba buena, yerba buena, or yerbabuena) grows like a weed, and is harder to kill than to grow. The leaves of the spearmint are round lanced and they have an oblong shape. Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published. Peppermint vs. Spearmint: What's the Difference? Like peppermint, it is used for its leaves and the oil derived from its leaves. I've not tried it with green tea but it sounds like a good idea. So, to answer your question, they are two different plants, and have different flavor profiles. The short answer is no. Peppermint is scientifically known as Mentha piperita, while spearmint is scientifically known as Mentha spicata. You may be surprised to learn that these oils aren’t related; in fact, wintergreen isn’t even a part of the mint family. Spearmint has a slightly fruity scent, softer than peppermint. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 … And then there are some used for ground cover or how they look. Scientifically known as Mentha spicata, spearmint is a member of the Mentha genus and is native to Europe and Asia, although it has been naturalized all over the world throughout the course of history. 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 grows low, as a creeping plant, and may reach heights of between 1 and 3 feet, though it does not grow wider than 3 feet. The cooling sensation of the peppermint candy enhances the creamy, smooth base of vanilla ice cream. Spearmint and peppermint have slightly different uses, but either one makes a … Check out these festive desserts for minty inspiration: Spearmint (a.k.a. BLOG. The main difference between spearmint and peppermint is that the spearmint contains a less amount of menthol whereas peppermint contains a considerably higher amount of menthol.Furthermore, spearmint occurs naturally while peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and watermint. To give you a frame of reference, clove has the highest antioxidant value of all known … Although confusing which type of mint (peppermint vs. spearmint) to use in your recipe won’t necessarily ruin your creation, there are differences between the two in terms of flavor and uses. Mint vs Peppermint vs Spearmint. We know mint as the refreshing and delicious flavor of many of the things we eat every day, from breath mints to mint chocolate chip ice cream. The combination of peppermint and vanilla ice cream is leagues better than chocolate chip and mint. Peppermint (noun) A hybrid herb of the mint family (ver=180311), formed by crossing watermint and spearmint, which has a high menthol content and a sharp flavor and is used in cooking, especially in herb teas and in confections. This guide to cooking roast beef will help you create a flavorful, moist, and tender roast. Peppermint is a hybrid species of spearmint and water mint (Mentha aquatica). Peppermint vs. Spearmint: What’s the Difference? The herb is particularly common in the Middle East, where it's used to flavor curries and other dishes. 10:01. Follow. //, March 12, 2019 by G. Stephen Jones 4 Comments. Hence, it is an additional difference between spearmint and peppermint. Native to parts of Europe and the Middle East, peppermint has a distinct cooling effect and can actually lower the temperature of your mouth. It is occasionally found in the wild with its parent species. 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