If you ’ve ever eye the chewing glue options at the checkout - out counter , you ’re belike aware there ’s a difference of opinion between peppermint and spearmint . But — beyond the trend of selling peppermint gum in blue packs and spearmint in green — what on the dot is that difference ?
Though peppermint and Mentha spicata are both flock plants in theMenthagenus , peppermint(Mentha x piperita ) is in reality a intercrossed ofspearmint(Mentha spicata ) and water system mint ( Mentha aquatica ) . When it comes to shared characteristics , Mentha piperita and spearmint both have serrated leaf , produce pink or light purple flowers , spread via underground stems called stolons , and contain menthol — the chemic chemical compound behind that conversant cooling esthesis . However , there ’s a passably significant discrepancy between their levels of menthol , which facilitate explain the flavor differences between the two character .
While peppermint ’s menthol cognitive content is a thumping 40 percent , spearmint check just 0.5 per centum . Therefore , asTaste of Homeexplains , peppermint candy is especially pungent and even spicy ( hence the “ black pepper ” in its name ) . Spearmint , on the other manus , contains a compound phone carvone , which gives it a much subtler , sweeter savour . Because peppermint gum has such a warm perceptiveness , it ’s ordinarily the main focus of whatever dish or imbibe it ’s in — thinkcandy canesor peppermint tea . If you ’re cooking something mouth-watering with a variety of other herbs , you ’re just off using Mentha spicata , whose sweetness will offset the blend of sapidity without overpowering them .
According toSpoon University , the two mints are similar enough that you could substitute one for another if yourgrocery storedoesn’t happen to carry both . And , if you ’re having trouble call up which flavor die with which mass , those colorful gumwood wrap might help — peppermint ’s frosty coolness matches down in the mouth , while spearmint ’s earthy sweet goes with greenish .
[ h / tTaste of Home ]
