Peppermint contains menthol. Moreover, Spearmint is Mentha spicata while peppermint is Mentha piperita. It is a cross between watermint and spearmint, and is arguable the most commonly used mint. Both of the above are perennial herbs. 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. Although confusing which type of mint (peppermint versus spearmint) to use in your recipe won’t necessarily ruin your creation, there are differences between the two in terms of flavor and uses. Nine times out of ten, recipes will guide us toward using an extract, like vanilla extract or peppermint extract, to add flavor to our baked goods.But then what are those tantalizing bottles of flavoring oils doing on the shelf? It's frequently peppermint. 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. Wintergreen is not actually a member of the mint family, instead being from the family gaultheria. One of the main differences between spearmint and peppermint is the amount of menthol that each type of mint plant contains. Spearmint vs Peppermint. Because of the low menthol, spearmint also has a much weaker cooling effect. first, they are from different species.. Mentha x piperita vs Mentha Spicata. It's frequently peppermint. The oil of the plant is considered to be an excellent rub for tired or strained muscles. Two of the most common types, spearmint and peppermint, are also two of the most commonly confused types. It contains .05 percent menthol, so it doesn’t have quite the cooling effect of peppermint. 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 From what I understand, medicinally, Peppermint is more astringent than Spearmint. Catnip is actually a mint plant. Spearmint has a much more mellow and sweet flavor. Cilantro & Lemon Marinated Chicken Kabobs, Couscous Tabbouleh with Fresh Mint & Feta, Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cucumber Melon Relish, Cranberry-Lime Semifreddo with Pound Cake, Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Orange Relish, Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Pear Chutney, Layered Mediterranean Dip with Pita Chips, Avocado Fruit Salad with Tangerine Vinaigrette, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. 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? These have subtle differences in taste, but still share many of … Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world. 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. Peppermint belongs to the Piperita species and is a hybrid between watermint and spearmint. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita, also known as Mentha balsamea Wild.) While both plants are in the mentha genus, they are of different species. However, there’s a pretty significant discrepancy between their levels of menthol, which helps explain the flavor differences between the two types. 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. Both spearmint and peppermint have menthol in them but peppermint contains a higher menthol content (40% versus.05% in spearmint). 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%). Spearmint and peppermint are used for many of the same purposes, but they aren’t the same plant. Allrecipes is part of the Meredith Food Group. Peppermint has been used medicinally for centuries for its potential calming effects, often in the form of tea. Mint is the general name for an herb popularly known for its menthol cooling properties. Its flavor is potent and slightly spicy (peppery, if you will). When you ask for "Mint Tea" at most restaurants or cafes, you usually are served peppermint tea (dried tea bag) in a pot. Peppermint extract, on the contrary, is made by diluting peppermint oil in alcohol or by soaking peppermint leaves and stems in alcohol. Spearmint's blossoms, in dense cylinderlike spikes with separated whorls, look like spears. Mint vs Peppermint vs Spearmint. Mint - any mint flavor or combination of mint flavors. Like peppermint, it is used for its leaves and the oil derived from its leaves. Related: 30 Peppermint Desserts to Make This Christmas Season. Spearmint gets its delicate and sweet flavor from a chemical called carvone. Both of the above are perennial herbs. Shutterstock. Spearmint has a sweet and somewhat mild flavor while peppermint has a much stronger, more prominent flavor that can overwhelm other flavors in recipes. Mint is a common household name and is a well-loved flavour of both young and the old. Native to parts of Europe and the Middle East, peppermint has a distinct cooling effect and can actually lower the temperature of your mouth. Find out how to grow the 10 best herbs for a home garden. Many people talk about them interchangeably, but spearmint and peppermint are actually two distinct plants (via Reluctant Gourmet). 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. On the other hand, Peppermint is a hybrid mint; it is a cross between spearmint and watermint. And though peppermint is perhaps the better known of the two, it’s actually a natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint. ... Mint normally means peppermint, spearmint is a type of mint that has rounder top leaves, milder fragrant, less shape saws. Spearmint and Peppermint can look very similar, but the best way to tell them apart is by tasting the leaves. Mint leaves are green and appear in pairs opposite each other. The most prominent difference between spearmint and peppermint is their taste. Spearmint and Peppermint can look very similar, but the best way to tell them apart is by tasting the leaves. Try one of these minty dishes to see what we mean: Related: 100+ Peppermint Extract and Oil Recipes, Credit: Q: When a recipe calls for “mint,” should I use spearmint or peppermint? Here’s how to tell the difference: Peppermint belongs to the Piperita species and is a hybrid between watermint and spearmint. Known for its bright flavor and fresh scent, fresh and dried mint leaves are found in cuisines all over the world. © Copyright 2021, 15 Instant Pot Recipes to Power You Through Whole30, 20 Meatless Monday Ideas That Everyone Will Love, 14 Hearty, Comfort Food Casseroles Starring Winter Squash, Our 25 Best Hot and Cheesy Dips Got Serious Game, 25 Beloved Bread Recipes From Grandma's Kitchen, 10 Banana Bundt Cakes to Make with Excess Bananas, The Best Comfort Foods to Get You Through Flu Season, 12 Recipes to Turn Extra Chicken into Healthy Main Dish Salads, 12 Vegetable-Friendly Side Dishes for the Mediterranean Diet, 19 Hearty Meatless Soups and Stews To Keep You Warm This Winter, 10 Vegan Bowls Packed with Veggies and Grains, 20 Recipes for the Super Bowl for Two People, 30 Peppermint Desserts to Make This Christmas Season. Some of our all-time favorite recipes like Roast Rack of Lamb with Herb Sauce, Mint Julep and Grasshopper Pie include mint (or mint-flavored ingredients). 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. Difference Between Spearmint and Peppermint Definition. A herbaceous However,rhizomatous perennial plant growing to around 30–90 cm, peppermint features smooth slightly fuzzy stems, fleshy, and bare fibrous roots and broad, dark green leaves with reddish veins. Aromatically, most peppermints are sharper, a bit more ‘in your face’ while spearmint oils tend to be a bit sweeter. Salt is harvested from evaporated seawater and mined from underground salt deposits. 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. Peppermint and spearmint are the most popular. The main difference between peppermint and mint extracts is the plant from which they are derived. Although confusing which type of mint (peppermint vs. spearmint) to use in your recipe won't necessarily ruin your creation, there are differences between … Peppermint items are usually red and white and Spearmint items are usually green or blue. Peppermint Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock. Cyndi Monaghan/Getty Images, Credit: Menthol is the chemical ingredient that creates that recognizable and much-loved cooling effect on the mouth. Peppermint has 40% menthol and spearmint has 0.5% menthol composition. Is the mint extract at the store spearmint- or peppermint-flavored? Peppermint's flavor is similar to spearmint, but it contains the ingredient menthol, making its flavor stronger and more pronounced. This chemical slightly numbs nerve endings and makes the brain think it is cooling the mouth when you eat it. However, there’s a pretty significant discrepancy between their levels of menthol, which helps explain the flavor differences between the two types. Many people talk about them interchangeably, but spearmint and peppermint are actually two distinct plants (via Reluctant Gourmet). Like peppermint, spearmint tea has long been used for medicinal purposes — particularly for stomach-related issues. Also, peppermint leaves often have a slight tinge of purple over a deep green, while spearmint foliage is an evenly brighter green. Whether it’s blended into a tzatziki sauce drizzled over a rack of lamb, carefully folded into a pork- and veggie-packed spring roll or muddled into a refreshing mojito, spearmint is sure to let the dish’s other flavors shine alongside it, which is why it’s a favorite ingredient of many chefs around the world. Peppermint is created by the blend of water-mint and spearmint leaves. Spearmint has a much more mellow and sweet flavor. Another popular mint is the hybrid peppermint. Peppermint has a long and distinguished history in health aid, as it contains high amount of nutrients and vitamins. It is also used in curing sore throats and runny noses. What is the difference between mint, spearmint, and peppermint? this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. 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. By Ben Fisher / June 9, 2020 12:13 pm EST. Peppermint is often paired with sweet ingredients, particularly during the holiday season. Spearmint – savory dishes Peppermint – sweet dishes; All mints taste somewhat similar, yet there is one big difference. The herb’s most well-known use is in Wrigley’s Extra Spearmint Gum (you know the one! 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%). Spearmint and peppermint--both members of the botanical genus Mentha in the mint family, Lamiaceae--grow in fertile, moist soils in sunny exposures. Peppermint and spearmint are the most popular, and are commonly used in cooking. 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. Because it contains 40 percent menthol, peppermint packs a pretty extreme cooling punch. Differences Between Spearmint and Peppermint Occurrence of Spearmint and Peppermint Spearmint occurs naturally while peppermint is a hybrid mint. The hybrid herb has a smooth stem, fibrous roots, dark green leaves and purple-coloured flowers. Those different levels of menthol are what give peppermint and spearmint their different tastes. This chemical slightly numbs nerve endings and makes the brain think it is cooling the mouth when you eat it. However, there’s a pretty significant discrepancy between their levels of menthol, which helps explain the flavor differences between the two types. Its strong flavor is best-suited for sweet dishes, especially those with chocolate, which is why your fondest memories of the mint are probably when it’s crushed on top of a ooey-gooey lava cake or swirled into a heartwarming mug of hot cocoa. Wintergreen is an oil that is created from a variety of mint oils. The latter is a fusion of spearmint and watermint. In summer, both mints produce upright spikes of tiny tubular flowers. While peppermint’s menthol content is … Gardeners can choose from more than 600 varieties of mint, which is relatively easy to grow and care for. Those different levels of menthol are what give peppermint and spearmint their different tastes. Mint extract is a mixture of spearmint and peppermint, whereas peppermint extract is just that. Nutrition Facts. It is used for … Peppermint will get outlined as a result of the mixture of water mint and spearmint. 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. The flavor of peppermint is stronger than spearmint and has a higher menthol content, which may affect the flavor so strongly. Spearmint and peppermint, as you might guess from their different flavor, … And despite the fact that most recipes and even grocery stores refer to mint as if it’s singular herb, there are over 15 types of mint, including spearmint, peppermint, orange mint, apple mint and more. Peppermint extract is made from pure peppermint oil, while mint extract is derived from any number of, or combination of, culinary mint plants. Chocolate mint is a cultivar of peppermint, a cultivar being a strain cultivated specifically for a few desirable characteristics—in the case of chocolate mint, the pretty brown hue of … When you ask for "Mint Tea" at most restaurants or cafes, you usually are served peppermint tea (dried tea bag) in a pot. What, then, is the difference between peppermint oil and peppermint extract? Peppermint and spearmint are the most popular. When on the extract aisle of the grocery store, there's a difference as well. 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. Peppermint vs. Spearmint. In drink, you likely to use peppermint but for food, spearmint is better. Spearmint contains only a tiny fraction the amount of menthol as peppermint, which is the biggest source of change in flavor. It’s known to soothe sore throats and achy muscles, stop runny noses and relieve stress. Peppermint contains 40% menthol while spearmint contains less than 1% menthol. Spearmint blossoms range in color from pale blue to lilac or white. This means peppermint is going to have a more intense “minty” flavor that spearmint. Native to parts of Europe and the Middle East, peppermint has a distinct cooling effect and can actually lower the temperature of your mouth. This means peppermint is going to have a more intense “minty” flavor that spearmint. Peppermint is an incredibly pungent—almost spicy—herb. Peppermint oil is a pure essential oil collected after exposing the peppermint plant to high temperatures. Peppermint contains 40% menthol while spearmint contains less than 1% menthol. When it comes to colors, that is artifically added by the manufacturer of the gum, cany, mint or whatever. common mint, garden mint, and lamb mint) is part of the Spicata species and it occurs naturally, which means it’s not a hybrid. Beyond that, varieties can vary near infinitely based on subtle changes in chemical composition. What do your readers think?Any and all … But it does have some notable healing effects, such as the ability to alleviate nausea and hiccups. These have subtle differences in taste, but still share many of the same health benefits. I had no idea. Its subtle sweetness makes spearmint perfect for pairing with savory flavors. The hybrid herb has a smooth stem, fibrous roots, dark green leaves and purple-coloured flowers. Wintergreen is an oil that is created from a variety of mint oils. Source. However, peppermint contains up to 40 percent menthol, which gives it a much stronger, more intense flavor. When compared side-by-side, spearmint leaves are slightly smaller than those of a peppermint. 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. It is also believed to alleviate gastrointestinal woes like nausea, gas, diarrhea, and indigestion. What, then, is the difference between peppermint oil and peppermint extract? So Wikipedia informs me that peppermint (the plant) is actually a cross between water mint and spearmint, and that it is spearmint that occurs naturally in Europe and Asia. Peppermint extract is made from pure peppermint oil, while mint extract is derived from any number of, or combination of, culinary mint plants. Being sterile, it spreads by rooting. Catnip is actually a mint plant. (Its name is starting to seem a bit more fitting, huh?) 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