Spearmint and peppermint are the leaves of perennial herbs which are used fresh or dried. When dried these herbs retain much flavor produce a strong taste. Mint leaves have a pure and pleasant aroma. The flavor profile of spearmint is refreshing and mellow with a delightfully pungent taste and undertones of lemon.
Dried Spearmint Leaves are also known as dried mint.
Peppermint leaf (and the mint family in general) is one of the more well known herbs though it is most often just used as a tea and flavor extract. There are many other ways to use Peppermint besides just as a flavor, and it is one of our favorite herbs.
Fresh or dried peppermint leaves are often used alone in peppermint tea or with other herbs in herbal teas (tisanes, infusions). Peppermint is used for flavouring ice cream, candy, fruit preserves, alcoholic beverages, chewing gum, toothpaste, and some shampoos, soaps and skin care products.
Mint is usually added early in the cooking process due to its ability to hold on to its pungency and then a small amount of fresh can be added at the end of the cooking process (or sprinkled on top of the dish) for its aromatic quality.
Partners wells with basil, cardamom, cloves, cumin, dill, fenugreek, ginger, marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley, sumac and thyme.
Traditionally, peppermint has been used to treat indigestion, headaches, colic, gingivitis, irritable bowel syndrome, spasms and rheumatism. It relaxes muscles; has antiviral and bactericidal qualities; increases stomach acidity (to aid digestion); is an analgesic and counterirritant; and is a carminative (eases intestinal cramping).
Mint is rich in protein, vitamin A & C etc. Water content in this herb makes it an excellent remedy for urinary retention. It is used to tract problems. Mint is also a time-tested remedy for headaches due to tress and heat. A paste made from fresh mint leaves is also very effective in removing dark circles under the eyes.
|Appearance||dull green pieces of leaves|
|Oder||Typical Mint Oily|