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This article is about the herb. See Mint (disambiguation) for other meanings.
Mints are perennial herbs in the Lamiaceae family used to flavor food, candy, teas,
breath fresheners, antiseptic mouth rinses, and
toothpaste. All of them are included in the genus
Mentha. The underlying minty scent is due to menthol. Mints
are generally vigorous, spreading plants that tolerates a wide range of conditions. There are hundreds of varieties but only
fifteen are common. Seven of theses varieties are from Australia, the others are
Eurasian.
Some common species and varieties include:
- Bergamot mint Mentha
citrata, syn. M. odorata (smells like bergamot)
- Chocolate mint Mentha
x piperita 'Chocolate mint'
- Curly mint Mentha spicata
'Crispa'
- Peppermint Mentha x piperita
- Spearmint Mentha spicata
- Water mint or marsh mint
Mentha aquatica
The variety sold as "pineapple mint" is particularly mild and popular.
Pennyroyal is a member of the genus, and resembles other mints, but has a
much stronger odor and flavor and also potentially harmful medicinal effects.
Vietnamese mint, commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine, is not a member of the mint family.
Mint was originally used as a medicinal herb viewed as a cure for stomach and chest pains. Mint was brought to North America
by early settlers and became commonly used as a flavoring.
See also
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