Description

Mint is an aromatic herb. Mint will sprout tiny purple, pink, or white flowers if allowed to bloom; however, it will lose some of its essential oil, making the leaves less fragrant and flavorful. The oval, jagged-edged, blunt-tipped leaves grow opposite along the square stems and can vary slightly in both shape and color, from dark to bright green, greyish-green to purple-blue, or even pale yellow. Some Mint leaves may be variegated, and some may have a fuzzy texture, but they all have the unmistakable minty scent when crushed. Mint offers a sweet, fresh, cooling flavor and aroma. Mint can be used fresh or dried in sweet and savory applications and is particularly popular in Turkish, Indian, Vietnamese, Greek, and Persian cuisines. Add fresh Mint leaves to fruit or green salads, use as a garnish, or brew into a stomach-soothing, cold-combating herbal tea. Dried Mint can be added to simmering sauces or stews, while Mint oil or extract can be used to infuse syrup for beverages and cocktails like mojitos or to flavor whipped creams, yogurts, sorbets, ice creams, baked goods, candies, and more. Mint is also commonly used to make a sauce or jelly to accompany lamb dishes.

Mint is rich in vitamins A and C and also contains smaller amounts of vitamin B2 and minerals like calcium, copper, zinc, and magnesium. The main organic compound that gives Mint its distinctive smell and cooling taste sensation is menthol, most commonly associated with Peppermint, while other key compound players include pulegone and carvone, which is more prevalent in Spearmint. Mint has long been prized for the therapeutic properties of its aromatic oil, which has been reported to have antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antifungal activities. Mint has primarily been used throughout history to treat stomach and digestion problems, such as nausea, cramping, and indigestion but has also been used for freshening breath. Inhaling steam with Mint oil is said to help with respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis. In aromatherapy, Mint oil can be used to ease agitation and mental fatigue, as well as relieve headaches.