Spearmint and peppermint are two different types of mint. They can be used for many things, including preparing food. Spearmint and peppermint are both mints, but they have some differences.
Spearmint and Peppermint both can be used for flavouring food or drinks. Spearmint and peppermint are two of the most common mint types found in supermarkets and grocery stores.
Key Takeaways
- Spearmint contains carvone, which gives it a milder, sweeter flavor, while peppermint has a higher concentration of menthol, resulting in a stronger, more refreshing taste.
- Peppermint prefers slightly cooler growing conditions, while spearmint thrives in warmer climates.
- Peppermint has various health benefits, including aiding digestion and relieving headaches, while spearmint can help with hormonal balance and digestion.
Spearmint vs Peppermint
The difference between Spearmint and Peppermint is Spearmint is native to Europe and the Mediterranean area, while peppermint is found in Europe, India, Japan, and North America. Spearmint is sweeter, and Peppermint is spicy. Peppermint is highly pungent. Spearmint is less pungent. Peppermint is a hybrid of Spearmint.
The spearmint plant is a perennial herb that grows in moist environments. It has green leaves with purple stems and small pink flowers. It thrives best in areas with mild winters.
The spearmint plant, also known as Mentha spicata, is a perennial herb with square stems and pointed leaves. It grows to about 1 foot tall and produces white flowers that have four petals each. The pungent level in spearmint is very low.
Peppermint leaves are dried after harvesting for use during the winter months. Peppermint is a hybrid mint, and it can be found throughout the world.
It has many uses: as an ornamental plant, in herbal medicine, as a flavouring for candy and gum, as an ingredient in toothpaste and cough drops, as a houseplant for its aesthetic value, and as a source of essential oils.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Spearmint | Peppermint |
|---|---|---|
| Methanol content | 40% | 0.5% |
| Taste | Sweet | Spicy |
| Presence of Carvone | Yes | No |
| Hybrid | No | Hybrid of Spearmint |
| Pungent level | Low | High |
| Availability | More | Less |
What is Spearmint?
Spearmint grows to about 1 foot tall and produces white flowers that have four petals each. The pungent level in spearmint is very low.
Spearmint is a hybrid mint of watermint and spearmint. It has a light green, slightly hairy stem and grows to about 2 feet tall. The leaves of spearmint are dark green.
It is oval and smooth with pointed tips that resemble spears. The fragrant white flowers grow in clusters on the end of the stems, and then the plant produces small one-seeded fruits.
The spearmint plant is a type of mint located in the USA. The leaves are used for flavouring food, beverages, candies, and other products.
It can be found in circular or oval-shaped patches that grow to about 3 feet tall. Spearmint is a perennial herb that is found in Europe.
However, it is now grown in most parts of the world where the climate permits. It is also one of the most popular flavours for chewing gum and breath mints.
The spearmint plant grows in warm regions like Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, California, and the Mediterranean area. Spearmint was first introduced to Europe in the 17th century.
The name “spearmint” refers to its spear-like leaves. It has a minty, cool aroma and sweet taste. This herb is native to Eurasia and Africa but can now be found in many areas of North America.
What is Peppermint?
Peppermint is a type of mint plant that has small purple flowers. The peppermint plant grows in moist areas, spreads by rhizomes, and can reach up to three feet tall.
Peppermint leaves are used to flavour candies and other foods for their fresh taste, but they also have some medicinal qualities.
Peppermint is a perennial herb that is found in Europe and Asia. It has been used as a flavouring agent in foods, beverages, and medicine since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Peppermint’s menthol content gives it its signature taste and smell, which makes it popular for use in candy, gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, and shampoo.
Peppermint is a plant with wide varieties. The most common variety of peppermint is those used to flavour foods and beverages or for medicinal purposes.
Peppermint is also kept as a houseplant in many houses as it adds an aesthetic look to the house. Peppermint is famous as an essential oil.
Peppermint is a hybrid mint plant. It has wide varieties, but the most common one is called Mentha piperita. This species of mint is popular in households and gardens for its strong flavour and fragrance. It is spicy.
Main Differences Between Spearmint and Peppermint
- Spearmint has a methanol content of 40 per cent, whereas Peppermint has a methanol content of 0.5 per cent.
- Spearmint is sweeter, whereas Peppermint is spicy.
- Carvone is present in Spearmint but not in Peppermint.
- Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint.
- Spearmint is less pungent compared to Peppermint.
- The availability of Spearmint is higher than Peppermint.
Peppermint is also kept as a houseplant in many houses as it adds an aesthetic look to the house. It is a great source of essential oils.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960308510000325
- https://journals.lww.com/dermatitis/fulltext/2010/11000/mentha_piperita__peppermint_.5.aspx
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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