12 Types of Mint

Have you ever wondered about how many different varieties of mint there are? From peppermint’s freshness to apple mint’s sweetness, this herb has a world of aromas and flavors to explore. Mentha is a genus name that consists of around 24 species of mint. However, hundreds, if not thousands, of hybridized mint cultivars exist. For centuries, mint got used in food, medicine, and personal care. On this minty adventure, we will explore 12 flavorful varieties of mint.

A Minty Adventure: Discovering 12 Different Varieties of Mint

1. Strawberry Mint

Strawberry mint, also known as “red-stemmed mint,” is recognized for its sweet and fruity flavor and fragrance. This plant can reach a height of 2 feet and has green leaves and red stems. Strawberry mint can grow in hot and cold weather if planted in soil that drains well. It is also excellent in food because its sweet taste pairs well with desserts and drinks.

Strawberry mint is a beautiful herb with its red stem, sweet scent, and excellent flavors. In addition, they are easily recognizable for their lilac flowers and dazzling green leaves.

2.      Grapefruit Mint

Grapefruit mint is a hybrid plant known for its unique and refreshing citrus smell and taste. In addition, it has distinctive green leaves with a touch of purple. This plant, which can grow up to 2 feet tall, likes moist, well-drained soil and a little shade.

Since grapefruit mint has an energizing smell, you can use it in aromatherapy and personal care products. You could use it in the kitchen to make drinks, salads, and desserts taste better. In addition, grapefruit mint is a beautiful landscaping plant that works well to keep insects away. The plant is also easy to grow in many places, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels.

3.      Egyptian Mint

Egyptian mint comes from North Africa and has been used centuries ago as traditional Middle Eastern medicine and food. It can get as tall as 3 feet and has wrinkled leaves. It is a hardy plant that can grow in many different weather conditions.

This mint can flavor drinks, savory foods, and sauces. You could also use it in personal care products because of the way it smells. Tea, lemonade, and watermelon juice are all popular drinks in the Middle East that use this mint. In addition, it is often found in soaps, shampoos, and lotions for personal care because it is soothing and cools the skin.

4.      Calamint

Calamint grows naturally in Europe and Asia. Other common names include “mountain balm,” “basil thyme,” and “lesser calamint.” It can get up to 2 feet tall, and its leaves and flowers are small and soft. It is a tough plant that does best in dry, rocky soil and can grow in various temperatures. Calamint has been used for a long time to treat stomach problems, headaches, and breathing problems in traditional medicine.

In Mediterranean cooking, you can use it to add flavor to stews, sauces, and other foods. Also, because it smells so good, calamint is great in personal care products. Calamint is a common herb used in traditional medicine because it kills bacteria, reduces inflammation, and reduces stress. You can also use it in tea, which should help with digestion problems and to destress.

5.      Banana Mint

Mentha arvensis, banana mint, smells and tastes fruity, which makes it stand out from the rest. It can get as tall as two feet and has round leaves, and is a tough plant that grows best in well-draining soil and various temperatures. Its primary use is in cooking, and its banana-scented leaves will improve the taste of desserts, drinks, and other foods.

You can also use it in shampoos and soaps because it smells wonderful. When you combine sweet bananas and cool mint, you get a unique flavor that is tasty and refreshing.

6.      Spearmint

Some call spearmint a “garden mint” or a “common mint” because it smells and tastes sweet and clean. This plant can get up to three feet tall, and its leaves and stems are bright green. It is a tough plant that likes moist, well-drained soil and can grow in various temperatures. Spearmint is often used in the kitchen to give tea, drinks, desserts, and other foods more flavor. You can even use it in personal care products because it smells good and might benefit your health. Spearmint has been used for a long time in traditional medicine to treat stomach problems, trouble breathing, and other health problems.

Spearmint can also kill some bacteria, which makes it a popular ingredient in oral hygiene products like toothpaste and mouthwash. In addition, you can use it in soaps, shampoos, and other personal care products because of its pleasant smell.

7.      Peppermint

Peppermint is a popular herb all over the world. You can use this herb as medicine and food for a long time, and some people think it is a cross between water mint and spearmint. This plant can get up to three feet tall; its leaves and flowers are dark green and purple. Peppermint is a hardy plant that does best in cool and damp places.

People have used this herb to treat various health problems, like digestive problems, headaches, and trouble breathing. In addition, it’s a great herb to add flavor to teas, desserts, and other foods. Peppermint is the herb in the discussion, known for its ability to cool and refresh. In addition, it has menthol, which can relax the digestive tract muscles and help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

8.      Red Mint

Red mint is a cross between spearmint and cornmint, and the stems and leaves are bright red. It is a hardy plant that can grow up to 2 feet tall and can be grown in many different places. People commonly use other varieties of mint in traditional medicine, but you can use red mint to treat digestive problems, headaches, and breathing problems.

Red mint gets primarily used in cooking, especially in Middle Eastern cuisines, which adds flavor to tea, salads, and other dishes. In addition, you can use this type of mint in personal care products because it smells lovely. Its essential oil is also used in aromatherapy because it has calming and soothing effects.

9.      Corsican Mint

Corsican mint (Mentha requienii) is also known as “rock mint” and “creeping mint.” It has a strong, earthy smell and grows slowly. It has small, round leaves; in the summer, it blooms with small, light purple flowers. Corsican mint is easy to care for and looks terrific in rocky gardens. The leaves are oval and can be spread out on the floor to make a thick mat. This herb likes well-drained soil and can grow in many different temperatures. Its primary use is in cooking, where its strong flavor improves the taste of salads, meats, and sweets.

10.  Pennyroyal Mint

Pennyroyal mint (Mentha pulegium) comes from Europe and Asia but grows all over North America. It has small, oval-shaped leaves and can grow up to 1 or 2 feet. You can use this herb to keep bugs away or as a natural flea treatment for pets, but consuming too much can be harmful.

Some have used pennyroyal mint for a long time in medicine, but you should still use it carefully and with the help of a doctor. When taken in large amounts, this herb is known to cause serious health problems like liver damage and seizures.

11.  Water Mint

Native to Europe, Asia, and North America, water mint (Mentha aquatica) has gotten used as a medicine for hundreds of years. This herb has leaves with teeth and flowers that are either pink or lilac. It grows best in damp places. However, water mint grows quickly and can become invasive if not kept in check.

People have used this herb to treat digestive, lung, and menstrual cramps. You can also use it to flavor teas and sauces or as a fresh scent in personal care products. Additionally, growing in a garden or pot is easy, making it accessible for home use.

12.  Apple Mint

Apple mint is known for its smell and taste, which remind people of apples. It is also sometimes called “pineapple mint” or “woolly mint.” This herb can grow up to 2 feet tall and has soft, fuzzy leaves and stems. It is a hardy plant that likes well-drained soil and can grow in various temperatures. It is mainly used in cooking to flavor teas, fruit salads, and other dishes. In addition, you can use it in personal care products because they smell fresh.

Apple mint has many helpful substances, like antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. These substances can help improve skin health and reduce inflammation, making apple mint a great addition to skincare products. Additionally, the fresh scent of apple mint can provide a natural fragrance without synthetic fragrances.

Final Thoughts

Overall, learning about the different kinds of mint is a fun and exciting journey with numerous uses in cooking and medicine. Each type of mint has something special to offer, from its unique tastes and smells to its possible health benefits. You can get several health advantages from using different kinds of mint in your food preparation, personal care products, and healthcare.

Summary of 12 Types of Mint