Herb
Mint
Mint is a cooling, aromatic herb family spanning spearmint, peppermint, and dozens of specialty types used in drinks, desserts, salads, sauces, and savoury meat dishes. Spearmint dominates Middle Eastern and British savoury cooking; peppermint leads confectionery and tea. Aggressive growth and hybridisation produce apple, chocolate, pineapple, and Moroccan mint styles with distinct aromas. Fresh leaves bruise easily; dried mint concentrates a different, more hay-like character suited to teas and spice blends.
Also known as: Na'na, Na'na, Garden Mint, Pudina, Húng, Menthe
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History
Mint featured in Greek myth and Mediterranean cookery as a fragrant culinary and medicinal plant.
Mint sauces and garden mints became established in British and European kitchen gardens.
Peppermint was recognised as a distinct hybrid and commercialised for oil and confectionery.
Industrial mint oil production and global herb trade spread spearmint and peppermint worldwide.