What type of mint is this

In Athens, it was a common practice to scent different body parts with different types of herbs, and various types of mint went on the arms. Originally introduced to England by the Romans, it was mentioned in by John Gardiner. He called it myntys. There is little known about John Gardiner except he published Feate of Gardening sometime in This book is one of the earliest horticultural works known to the English language, and it contained verse writing.

William Turner found that mint was a pleasant ingredient in sauces, and he claimed it was good for stomach problems. Nicholas Culpepper was a physician-astrologer who used the mint plant to treat over 40 different health problems. The pilgrims were the people who were most likely responsible for bringing mint with them to the New World. During the 17th century, an English traveler named John Josselyn wrote about his visit to New England, and he included a lot of information that detailed the plants that were thriving in this colony.

Mint was among them. Mint has a long and colorful history that dates back centuries for medicinal use. Although there are hundreds of types of mint available, most home gardeners and commercial growers stick to a key few species.

Each type of mint has different properties associated with it, and you can use it for different things. You can grow the apple mint from seed relatively easily, or you can make cuttings of the mature mint plant and start them in water. It does well in partial sun and hardiness zones ranging from 5 to 9.

You can grow it by itself, or you can buddy grow it with tomatoes, broccoli, peas, and cabbage to enhance their flavor profile. This type of mint is popular for dessert toppings, as a dried herb, or you can lightly bruise the leaves and add them to a pitcher of water for a refreshing summer drink.

The tangle apple flavor mixed with the refreshing mint makes this an excellent dessert type of mint. Basil mint is a hybrid type of mint that is relatively easy to grow and cultivate. It grows best in partial shade in a container or along the edges of gardens and flower beds. You have to routinely trim it back to prevent it from taking over your garden. This plant has large, upright stalks with narrow leaves that give off a fragrant basil and mint aroma.

The fragrance will stay for up to six months. Additionally, you can take a sprig of this type of mint and boil it in water to make tea. The basil mint has anti-inflammatory features, and it can help calm upset stomachs and headaches. The basil flavor profile of this mint makes it popular in desserts around the world. This type of mint is native to the United Kingdom, and it grows well in sandy soils and full sun in hardiness zones five to nine.

It has large leaves with deep veins, thick stalks, and fuzzy herbs. The plant can grow up to two feet tall, and it has light pink flowers that will bloom in the late summer months. This type of mint has a long medicinal history. This stronger mint pairs well with lime in iced or hot teas. Not to be confused with catnip, this type of mint has striking grey-green leaves with blue-lavender flowers. Fresher Pantry. Basil Mint.

Grant, B. Specialty Produce. Curly Mint. Beaulieu, D. Catmint Plants. Licorice Mint. Patterson, S. Carroll, J. Baley, A. Baessler, L. Dyer, M. Badgett, B. Chewing Gum Facts. List of Popular Chewing Gum Brands. Boyles, M. Flavor Solutions. Watson, G.

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More articles by Alyssa Mertes. Shop Now or Search for:. Basil Mint Basil mint comes from a mint plant that lasts over two years and grows over two feet tall. Field or Corn Mint This is a type of wild mint that is grown all over the world. Spearmint The mints you grab in tins at the grocery store are typically made with spearmint.

It may also be your best choice if you are looking for a mint to use as a garnish, considering the striking foliage. Native plant enthusiasts are always looking for alternatives to foreign imports. Mentha canadensis fits the bill for a native mint for North American gardeners. It is native to much of the U. In the kitchen, it is used in candies, jellies, and teas. Traditional medicinal uses range from curing toothaches to treating hiccups.

This type of mint gets its common names from the fact that it is the authentic mint to use when making the rum cocktail known as "mojito" and so intimately associated with Cuba. Its strong aroma and flavor have made it a favorite. But its function as a culinary herb goes beyond using it in mojitos: Try it, too to flavor teas, for example.

If you like the idea of growing your own mint to flavor or garnish a cocktail, but mojito isn't your thing, you might want to grow Mentha 'Margarita. Margarita mint, known for its lime-scented leaves, is the perfect complement to a margarita drink. Margarita mint also boasts value in the garden. The flowers of Margarita mint, though small, are a nice lilac or purple. Unlike most mints, it spreads via above-ground runners rooting where they make contact with the ground , not underground rhizomes, making the plant somewhat less invasive than most members of this species.

The leaves are small, rounded, and light green bronzey at the tips. Most mints in the culinary category, such as most of those listed above, grow and spread rapidly.

Before you plant mint, think about how you want to use it. If you are looking for a nice bit of herb to use in the kitchen, you will do well to plant your mint in a pot. These easy care plants do very well as potted plants and a potted plant won't grow out of control. If you are looking for a ground cover, try one of the slower growing varieties such as Pennyroyal or Corsican mint. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.

Create a personalised content profile. Both these mints also bear pale lilac flowers. To distinguish between them, you'll have to take a nibble. A strong menthol aftertaste means peppermint, while a sweet, light flavor means spearmint.

Use young spearmint leaves in cooking, peppermint leaves for tea and other drinks. The climate in which the mint is growing can also help you identify it. If you live in a cool climate, your mint is likely peppermint.

These plants are hardy down to U. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 3. Spearmint does better with heat and can even thrive in USDA hardiness zone If the mint growing in your backyard has soft, rounded leaves, it might be apple mint Mentha suaveolens.

This plant is also called woolly mint because its stems and leaves are covered with fine, soft hairs.