Learn the Difference Between Spearmint and Peppermint

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. Spearmint contains a low amount of menthol (0.5 percent), but its light, sweet flavor of spearmint comes from a chemical called carvone. Spearmint is typically used as a fresh accent in savory dishes when cooking. It is also typically used as a garnish in soft drinks (like iced tea) or cocktails (like mojitos).

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is an herb in the mint family that has a distinct cooling sensation when eaten or used in topical products. Peppermint is a natural hybrid of spearmint and watermint. Peppermint contains forty percent menthol, which is what gives peppermint leaves their numbing, cooling effect. The high menthol content in peppermint is why it has a slightly spicy taste.

This popular holiday flavoring pairs well with sweet dishes like dessert, especially with the addition of chocolate. It is often used to flavor things like ice cream, toothpaste, and candy canes. Peppermint is also often used to make peppermint tea, which can soothe and numb the stomach.

Peppermint and spearmint are both strains of mint that are used for a number of cooking and flavoring purposes. However, there are some key differences between them.

• 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.
• Taste: Spearmint has a subtler, lighter flavor, vaguely sweet flavor. Peppermint has a sharper flavor that is almost spicy due to its high menthol content.
• Uses: Both peppermint and spearmint are used in cooking. Despite its sweet flavor, spearmint is typically used in savory dishes, such as pesto sauce, pasta dishes, or garnish for roasted vegetables. Peppermint is more commonly used as a flavoring in sweet dishes and desserts, and it pairs very well with chocolate.

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