Beverage
Peppermint Extract
Peppermint extract is Mentha piperita oil dissolved in alcohol (sometimes glycerin): menthol-bright, cooling, and far stronger than a handful of garden mint. It is the flavour of candy canes, peppermint bark, and chocolate-mint icing—not the sweeter, greener spearmint of chewing gum, and not a muddled mojito leaf. Pure extract carries the whole oil; "natural peppermint flavour" may be a broader, sometimes milder, flavouring. Use drops, not spoons. Heat can drive the top notes off a custard if you add it too early. It will fight citrus, lamb, and most savoury herbs. Fresh peppermint and dried tea mint cannot replace it one-for-one in a ganache; the extract is oil, the leaf is green.
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Breeds & varieties
A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
Characteristics
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Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat 0 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 5.34 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Total Carbohydrate 8.84 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 7.48 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 0.54 g
- Water 85.8 g
- Energy 41.4 kcal
- Water 85.8 g
- Carbohydrates 8.84 g
- Sugars 7.48 g
- Monosaccharides 5.24 g
- Disaccharides 2.24 g
- Protein 0.54 g
- Fat 0.1 g
- Vitamins 25.7 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.04 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 0.42 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.08 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 0.6 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 2.3 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 0.06 mg
- Vitamin K 0.2 µg
- Minerals 231 mg
- Major Minerals 225 mg
- Trace Minerals 5.9 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.01 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.02 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.04 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 0.42 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.08 · vitamin-b6: 0.02 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 0.6 · vitamin-b9-folate: 2.3 · vitamin-e: 0.06 · vitamin-k: 0.2 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 5.34 · Potassium: 190 · Calcium: 30 · Iron: 0.5 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 5 ·
Beverage bases range from near-water teas to sugar-dense cordials; alcohol adds energy when present.
History
English confectioners used peppermint essences in sweets and cordials.
Bottled peppermint extract became a holiday baking staple.
Commercial extracts standardised peppermint flavour for candy and icing.