Cooking with Peppermint or Spearmint 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.
Can I substitute spearmint for mint?
Mint brings a bright, bold flavor to recipes. 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. Below, we’ve shared some of our favorite mint recipes.
Is spearmint and mint the same?
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a type of mint that has a delicately sweet taste used in cooking. It is also a popular ingredient in commercial products such as toothpaste or chewing gum. The leaves of this popular herb look similar to regular mint leaves with a spear shape and bright green color.
Can you substitute mint for peppermint?
Mint Leaves
They have less menthol in them, which means they may not yield as strong a flavor as peppermint extract, but gives a very similar result. Fresh mint leaves can be chopped and added to recipes in place of peppermint extract.
What can I substitute for mint?
How to replace fresh mint
- Peppermint extract. Peppermint extract is a convenient way to add a minty flavor to food without having to do any chopping.
- Basil. If you need a fresh herb to substitute for mint, then your best option is basil.
- Parsley.
- Cilantro.
- Tarragon.
- Rosemary.
What can you use spearmint for?
Some people use spearmint to help alleviate symptoms of nausea, indigestion, gas, headache, toothache, cramps, and sore throat. It is also applied topically, to the skin, to help reduce swelling due to nerve or muscle pain.
Is mint tea and spearmint tea the same?
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 for mojitos?
Spearmint is most commonly used in cooking for many recipes, including lamb, vegetables, and of course, mint juleps and mojitos.
Does spearmint keep bugs away?
Some varieties of mint, such as peppermint (Mentha piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata), also have insect repellent properties.
Are mint leaves peppermint or spearmint?
Plant properties
Peppermint has 40% menthol and spearmint has 0.5% menthol composition. Mint leaves are green and appear in pairs opposite each other. The leaves of peppermint appear toothed and sharp-looking, whereas spearmint leaves are oblong, rounded and lanced.
Does spearmint help Upset stomach?
Spearmint is commonly used to help relieve symptoms of indigestion, nausea, vomiting and gas. The compound (-)-carvone, which is naturally found in spearmint, has been shown to strongly inhibit muscle contractions in the digestive tract, which may explain how this herb helps relieve digestive upsets ( 1 ).
What is a substitute for mint in a salad?
Mint’s closest cousin is basil. Basil has similar refreshing flavors like mint, but it also has a peppery sweetness to it. The World of Food and Wine suggests substituting one tablespoon of chopped fresh basil for every one tablespoon of fresh chopped mint if you are making either a sweet or savory dish.
What can you substitute for mint in a mojito?
No mint leaves? Try substituting basil, rosemary, cilantro, or jalapeno. You could also use a mint-flavored liqueur, mint bitters, or even a peppermint tea bag. Avoid mint extract or essential oil – they are both too concentrated and strong.
Is mint and peppermint the same?
The main difference between mint and peppermint is that peppermint has the strongest flavour when compared to other members of the mint family. Mint refers to aromatic herbs produced by the species of the mint plant (Mentha). Peppermint is one such species.
Is spearmint safe to eat?
Fresh spearmint also contains small amounts of vitamins A and C, as well as the minerals iron and calcium. Mint is safe for most people and consuming it doesn’t typically cause side effects. Allergies to mint are uncommon. In people who are allergic to mint, an interaction with the herb can trigger asthma symptoms.
What does spearmint taste like?
Compared to peppermint, spearmint has a delicate flavor and fragrance that is often described as sweet. 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.
Does spearmint tea cause kidney problems?
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.
Who shouldn’t drink spearmint tea?
1. Acid Reflux. While spearmint tea is excellent at helping ease digestive issues, those who suffer from GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease) may want to skip out on spearmint tea. This is because spearmint can have a relaxing effect on the esophagus which in turn can cause acid reflux to flow and lead to heartburn.
Does spearmint cause constipation?
Spearmint tea eliminates nausea
Spear mint tea has got anti inflammatory effects that can settles down your stomach during nausea or stomach upset. It also helps in eliminating cramping, b;loating , constipation and other gastrointestinal disease by calming down the inflamed tissues of your stomach.
Does spearmint increase estrogen?
They were took a cup of herbal tea which was steeped with M. spicata for 5 days twice a day in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles. After treatment with spearmint teas, there was a significant decrease in free testosterone and increase in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol.
Is spearmint good for cocktails?
The classic and most common variety used in cocktails is, of course, spearmint (Mentha spicata). It’s the standard for a reason—the light, bright sweetness both mellows and elevates a spirit, and can even temper overly-sugary recipes.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.