Beverage
Pure Peppermint Extract
S tier
Pure peppermint extract is Mentha piperita oil in alcohol: menthol, mint, and a little hay-green from the whole oil. It is the holiday-baking bottle and the one that belongs in a chocolate ganache or a candy-cane icing. The smell should be bright and cooling, not toothpaste-sweet alone. Drops only. Add it off the boil so the top notes stay. Spearmint extract is a different leaf; fresh mint is a different ingredient. A cloudy, old bottle has oxidised—buy another.
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History
English confectioners bottled peppermint essence from Mitcham and later oils.
Pure peppermint extract became the holiday baking standard in American kitchens.
Chocolate-mint desserts fixed pure peppermint extract as the pastry dose.
Single-origin peppermint oils appeared as premium pure extracts.