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Mint is a versatile herb that has been used for centuries in culinary, medicinal, and ornamental applications. With so many different types of mint, each with its own unique flavor, aroma, and properties, it can be hard to keep track of them all.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 18 popular types of mint, revealing their distinct characteristics, and flavors.
Chocolate Mint (Mentha × piperita)
Chocolate mint is a hybrid mint plant known for its unique chocolate-mint scent and flavor, which is a combination of mint and chocolate. It’s a perennial herb that is easy to grow and care for. To grow chocolate mint, you can start with seeds or cuttings. Plant them in well-drained soil in a sunny or partly shaded spot.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once established, chocolate mint can spread quickly, so it’s best to plant it in a container or in a designated area of the garden to prevent it from taking over. Chocolate mint can also be grown indoors as long as it gets enough sunlight. It’s a hardy plant and can thrive in a variety of climates.
Pennyroyal Mint (Mentha pulegium)
Pennyroyal mint is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family. It’s native to Europe and Asia, but can be found in other parts of the world as well. It has small, dark green leaves and tiny, violet-colored flowers that bloom in the summer. Pennyroyal mint is known for its strong, pungent mint scent and flavor.
In traditional medicine, pennyroyal has been used for centuries as a treatment for a variety of ailments such as colds, fevers, and digestive issues. It’s also used as a natural insect repellent. However, it’s important to note that pennyroyal mint is toxic when consumed in large amounts and should be used with caution.
Field Mint (Mentha arvensis)
Field mint is a perennial herb that’s native to Europe and Asia, known for its strong minty aroma and flavor. Field mint can grow up to 3 feet tall and has toothed leaves that are typically green in color. The flowers of field mint are usually pink, purple or white and bloom in the summer.
Field mint is often used in cooking and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as meat marinades, salad dressings, and desserts. It can also be used in teas and as a natural remedy for digestive issues. It’s also known to be a natural insect repellent and helps to keep pests away from the garden.
American Wild Mint (Mentha canadensis)
American wild mint is known for its strong, minty scent and flavor. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and has green, toothed leaves. It’s used in cooking and as a natural remedy for digestive issues.
This herb prefers moist and well-drained soil in a sunny or partly shaded spot. It’s a hardy plant and can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or dividing the roots. It can be grown in the garden or in containers. American wild mint can spread quickly, so it’s best to plant it in a container or in a designated area of the garden to prevent it from taking over. It can also be grown indoors as long as it gets enough sunlight.
Orange Mint (Mentha x piperita ‘citrata’)
Orange mint is a hybrid mint plant that’s a cross between watermint and spearmint. It’s known for its unique orange-mint scent and flavor, which is a combination of mint and citrus. Orange mint has bright green leaves and small, lavender-colored flowers that bloom in the summer. It’s a perennial herb that’s easy to grow and care for.
Orange mint can be used in a variety of dishes, such as salads, sauces, and marinades, and also as a garnish for cocktails. It’s also a good addition to teas and infusions. Orange mint is popular for its natural fragrant properties and is often used in perfumes, soaps, and other toiletries. As with all mints, orange mint can spread quickly so it’s best to plant it in a container or in a designated area of the garden to prevent it from taking over.
Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens)
Apple mint is known for its unique apple-mint scent and flavor, green leaves with a slightly hairy texture, and small, white or pale pink flowers that bloom in the summer.
Apple mint is used in cooking and can be used to make tea, jelly, and sauces. It can also be added to salads or used as a garnish for cocktails. It’s a hardy plant that’s propagated by seed, cuttings, or dividing the roots. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade or full sun.
Nana Mint (Mentha spicata)
Nana mint is known for its strong, refreshing scent and flavor. It’s often used in culinary dishes and drinks, and as a natural remedy for respiratory issues. The plant is native to Europe, Asia, and North America, and it’s known for its green leaves and small white or purple flowers.
It’s also called “spearmint” or “mint nana” and is commonly used in tea, sauces, and desserts. It’s also known for its essential oils which are used in perfumes and soaps. Nana mint is easy to grow and can be propagated through stem cuttings or seeds.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
Peppermint has a distinctive, refreshing scent and flavor and is often used in culinary dishes, or as a natural remedy for digestive issues. The plant is known for its green leaves with serrated edges and small purple flowers.
Peppermint is commonly used in teas, candy, toothpaste, and aromatherapy. The plant is also known for its essential oils which are used in perfumes, soaps, and other personal care products.
Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Spearmint is a versatile herb known for its refreshing scent and flavor. It’s commonly used in culinary dishes, teas, chewing gum, and aromatherapy. The plant is also known for its essential oils which are used in perfumes, soaps, and other personal care products.
Growing spearmint is easy, as it’s a hardy perennial herb that can be propagated through stem cuttings or seeds. It prefers well-drained soil and partial shade and can be grown in pots or in the garden. Once established, spearmint can be harvested regularly, and it will continue to grow back.
Margarita Mint (Lamiaceae Mentha Margarita)
Margarita mint has bright green leaves and a unique, sweet, citrusy scent and flavor. It’s commonly used in drinks, especially in margaritas, as well as in salads, and desserts. It’s also known for its essential oils which are used in perfumes, soaps, and other personal care products.
Margarita mint is easy to grow and it can be propagated through stem cuttings or seeds. It prefers well-drained, moist soil, and partial shade. It can be grown in pots or in the garden.
Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)
Corsican mint is a type of mint plant known for its strong, menthol-like scent and flavor. It’s often used as a ground cover, and also in culinary dishes, drinks. Additionally, it’s used as a natural remedy for respiratory issues. It’s a hardy and invasive perennial that prefers moist soil and partial shade.
English Mint (Mentha spicata)
English mint has been used as a natural remedy for centuries, known to help with nausea, headaches and digestion. The oil is also used in aromatherapy and massage therapy. English mint is a popular herb in traditional English cuisine and is often used to make mint sauce, mint jelly and mint tea. The leaves of the mint plant can be used fresh or dried in a variety of dishes and drinks.
Basil Mint (Lamiaceae)
Basil mint, also known as “hoary basil” is a hybrid mint plant that’s not commonly grown. It is a cross between basil and spearmint and is grown in the same way as other mint plants, in well-drained soil and a location with partial shade. They can also be grown indoors in a container with good drainage. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Basil mint has a unique flavor, with notes of both basil and mint, making it a versatile herb in cooking and it’s often used as a seasoning in meat dishes, soups, and salads.
Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)
Water mint, also known as “marsh mint” is a perennial herb known for its strong, refreshing menthol aroma. It’s commonly used in teas, infusions, and culinary dishes. Water mint is also known for its medicinal properties and is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. One of the unique characteristics of water mint is that it can grow in wetland areas and marshes, which makes it a great choice for planting in damp or boggy areas in your garden.
Banana Mint (Mentha arvensis)
Banana mint has a distinct banana-like aroma and flavor. It’s often used in culinary dishes and as a garnish and is also known to be used in teas and other beverages, due to its unique taste. Some people also use it as an ornamental plant in the garden, due to its attractive and fragrant leaves.
Pineapple Mint (Mentha suaveolens)
Pineapple mint is a mint variety that has a distinct pineapple-like aroma and flavor. It’s often used in culinary dishes, drinks, and desserts, as well as a garnish. Pineapple mint is also known to have a sweeter taste compared to other mint varieties. Some people also grow it as an ornamental plant in the garden.
Cuban (Mojito) Mint (Mentha villosa)
Cuban mint, or “Cuban oregano”, is not a mint plant but a perennial herb from the mint family. It’s a popular herb in the Caribbean and Latin American cuisine and is often used in marinades, stews, and soups.
The leaves of the plant have a strong, pungent aroma and a minty, oregano-like flavor, which makes it a versatile ingredient in a variety of dishes. Cuban mint also has medicinal properties and is used to treat digestive problems, respiratory issues, and skin conditions.
Horse Mint (Monarda)
Horse mint, also known as wild bergamot or bee balm, is a perennial herb native to North America. It’s often found in prairies, fields, and along roadsides. Horse mint is also known for its medicinal properties and is used to treat a variety of conditions, including colds, flu, and digestive problems.
The plant is also a popular choice for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to gardens. Horse mint also has a number of varieties that can be used as an ornamental plant due to its attractive and fragrant leaves.
Wrapping Up
Mint is a versatile herb that is widely used in culinary, medicinal, and ornamental applications. There are many different types of mint, each with its own unique flavor, aroma, and properties. All these mint varieties can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from savory to sweet, and can also be used to make various beverages.
Each mint variety has its own unique flavor profile and can be used to add a fresh, minty touch to any dish. Whether you are growing mint for culinary, medicinal, or ornamental purposes, it’s a great addition to any garden.
