Peppermint contains 40% menthol while spearmint contains less than 1% menthol. This means peppermint is going to have a more intense “minty” flavor that 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.
Is a mint plant the same as a spearmint plant?
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.
Is fresh spearmint the same as fresh mint?
Peppermint is often used in candies, gums, muscle rubs, foot powder, mouthwash and toothpaste. Spearmint, on the other hand, has a lower menthol composition, giving out a fresh and sweet flavor.
Does spearmint keep mosquitoes away?
Peppermint, pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) – all have pest-repelling qualities. Sprays made from these plants create an effective mosquito repellent as well as repel other insect species.
Can you eat spearmint leaves?
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.
What can spearmint leaves be used 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.
How can you tell if a plant is mint?
Another way to identify mint is by the stem. All mints have a square stem. The leaves are oblong, tapering to a narrow tip, with texture on the leaf top and a bit of tooth to the edges. Mints leaves vary from dark green of spearmint to light green of applemint and other delicious tastes.
Are there poisonous mint plants?
Perilla mint has a shallow taproot and fibrous roots. Perilla mint causes more cattle deaths in Tennessee than any other toxic plant. Perilla is very poisonous to cattle and other ruminants, as well as horses. All plant parts are toxic, especially the flowering structures.
Can I use spearmint instead of mint?
Both are used in cooking, have medicinal purposes, and make for great essential oils and tea. Both also have square stems and spear-shaped leaves. However, when it comes down to it, spearmint is better in savory dishes while peppermint is better used for a chocolate dessert.
What is the best tasting mint plant?
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita ‘Mitcham’). The best-tasting peppermint is found under various names throughout the country: ‘Mitcham’, black-stemmed, ‘Blue Balsam’, and even chocolate mint. It is highly mentholated, almost hot, and full of flavor.
What does spearmint plant look like?
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.) long. When planted in ideal conditions, spearmint will reach a mature height and width of 12 to 24 inches (31-61 cm.).
Which is better for you spearmint or peppermint?
Peppermint tea contains a higher content of Vitamin A and C than spearmint tea. However, spearmint tea contains twice the iron content. Additionally, peppermint contains nearly double the calories of spearmint.
What’s spearmint tea good for?
Spearmint tea may be able to help your stomach muscles relax, helping these and other digestive problems subside. Spearmint tea may also help improve your memory. One study showed that older people with memory issues who were given daily spearmint extract supplements saw a 15 % improvement in their memory.
What animal hates mint?
Castor, peppermint, and spearmint oils are odors that digging and burrowing animals dislike. (This can include groundhogs, mice, moles, rats, skunks, voles, and others.)
What bugs does spearmint repel?
The scent of mint repels aphids, cabbage moths, flea beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies, and even ants.
What bugs does mint attract?
Mint Attracts Beneficial Insects (& Repels the Bad Ones)
Let your mint go to flower and it will attract bees, beneficial wasps, hoverflies (aphid eaters), and tachinid flies (parasitic on nasty bugs).
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.
Does spearmint stop hair growth?
Drinking spearmint tea may help reduce hirsutism, or growth of dark, coarse hair on the face, chest and abdomen of women. In fact, it’s a common herbal remedy for unwanted hair growth in Middle Eastern countries ( 12 ).
Is drinking mint water good for you?
Mint water is an excellent way to enjoy the digestive benefits of mint. Mint water contains menthol, which some studies have shown may help manage irritable bowel syndrome. Research indicates that mint water may help soothe some of the symptoms of IBS. Studies also show that mint can help alleviate indigestion.
Can mint leaves reduce belly fat?
Mint: An herb, yes, but this one goes the extra belly-fat burning mile. Mint leaves trigger the release of extra bile from the gallbladder, which is important because it helps the body to digest fat.
Can you eat fresh mint leaves?
Yes, mint leaves are edible, whether raw or cooked. When you think of mint, you probably think of peppermint. However, there are a variety of delicious mint variations that you can try.
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.