Your Ultimate Guide to Mint

The crisp, invigorating flavor of mint is a one-of-a-kind treat. This versatile herb shines in everything from frozen desserts and drinks to baked goods and more. But which varieties of mint are best for your kitchen creations? Discover all the essentials about mint right here.

What Exactly Is Mint?

Mint (genus Mentha) is a hardy, perennial herb from the Lamiaceae family. This plant grows abundantly around the globe, thriving in moist conditions and on nearly every continent. Preferring partial shade, mint can spread rapidly, so it’s advisable to plant it in containers or pots to avoid it taking over your garden. Once it’s established, expect a generous harvest.

Mint responds well to pruning, with fragrant leaves continuing to sprout well into the fall. While there are many varieties of mint, we mainly focus on the two most commonly used in food, medicine, liqueurs, perfumes, candies, and gum: spearmint and peppermint.

What Does Mint Taste Like?

Describing a flavor we all recognize can be tricky, but for me, mint has a sweetness that’s slightly sharp and, above all, refreshingly cool. While 'cool' isn’t exactly a taste, it’s the sensation that mint delivers most distinctly. A strong mint flavor instantly evokes a chilling feeling.

Menthol, a key ingredient in mint, is the reason for that cooling sensation. It tricks your brain into sensing a cool temperature. Peppermint is made up of 40% menthol, giving it a bold, peppery taste, while spearmint has just 0.5% menthol, offering a much milder, more subtle flavor.

How to Use Mint

In addition to its common use in products like soaps, candies, and chewing gum, both spearmint and peppermint are popular in the kitchen. Spearmint, with its lighter flavor, often complements teas and desserts, while peppermint shines in savory dishes, especially those from the Middle East, Asia, Mexico, and India.

You can swap one type of mint for another, but keep in mind that their flavor intensities differ greatly. Switching them out will definitely alter the taste of the dish.

Mint and chocolate are a match made in heaven. Mint is perfect in ice cream. And when I’m in the mood for something nostalgic, a Grasshopper cocktail always hits the spot. However, for me, mint truly shines in bold, spicy, savory dishes.

Fresh vs. Dried Mint

While dried mint can lose some of the fresh, vibrant qualities that make it so versatile in the kitchen, it still has its place. Since mint is incredibly easy to grow, fresh is usually the better option. However, dried mint can lend a bright touch to salads and creamy dressings.

Frozen mint leaves may not be as aromatic as fresh, but they can still serve as a solid substitute if you're not growing your own. Just remove the leaves and store them in a zipper-lock bag in the freezer.

Mint Substitutes

Nothing quite matches the fresh, crisp, sweet cooling sensation of mint leaves. While mint oils are available, they should be used sparingly, as their strong flavor can quickly overpower a dish.

In a pinch, try using cilantro or parsley. While the flavor will differ, they both offer a similarly bright, herbaceous green color.