Thursday
Jan072010
spearmint v. peppermint
Thursday, January 7, 2010 - Spearmint’s scientific name is Mentha spicata. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a usually sterile hybrid of watermint and spearmint.
- Spearmint owes its flavor to the chemical carvone; peppermint derives its flavor from menthol.
- Spearmint has a light, sweet scent; peppermint has a stronger aroma.
- Spearmint oil can be used to repel mosquitoes; peppermint oil is used as a mild topical anesthetic.
- By convention, spearmint flavored gums and candies have green packaging, and peppermint candies have blue packaging.
- Spearmint stems have a square cross-section; peppermint stems and leaves have a purple tinge.
- Spearmint leaves are stemless; peppermint leaves have short stems.
- Spearmint flowers form narrow, tapered, pink or lilac clusters; peppermint blooms are rounder and purple.
- On the whole, spearmint plants and leaves are a little bit smaller than peppermint plants and leaves.
Ask Dr. Knowledge on spearmint v. peppermint