Cooking with Peppermint or Spearmint If you are looking for a really intense minty flavor in a dish, peppermint is the way to go. If you are looking for a milder minty flavor that won’t overwhelm your dish, spearmint is the better choice. If I’m going to add mint to a recipe while it’s cooking I have two choices.
Are spearmint and mint the same?
The term “mint” is an umbrella term for the Mentha plant family that includes spearmint, peppermint, orange mint, apple mint, pineapple mint and more. Mint is a perennial and wide-spreading herb.
Can spearmint be used in place of mint?
Both also have square stems and spear-shaped leaves. However, when it comes down to it, spearmint is better in savory dishes while peppermint is better used for a chocolate dessert. Don’t fret, you won’t ruin a recipe by using the wrong mint, so if your grocery store only stocks one mint option you can still use it.
What can I use to substitute mint?
Use a whole tea bag to replace a tablespoon of fresh chopped mint.
- Peppermint extract. Peppermint extract is a convenient way to add a minty flavor to food without having to do any chopping.
- Basil. If you need a fresh herb to substitute for mint, then your best option is basil.
- Parsley.
- Cilantro.
- Tarragon.
- Rosemary.
Can you use spearmint in mojitos?
Spearmint is most commonly used for mojitos and is what you’ll likely find at the grocery store labeled generically as “mint.” For an authentic Cuban mojito, use mojito mint, or Mentha x villosa, a type of mint native to Cuba with a more understated flavor than that of spearmint.
Which is better spearmint or mint?
Taste: Spearmint has a subtler, lighter flavor, vaguely sweet flavor. Peppermint has a sharper flavor that is almost spicy due to its high menthol content. 3. Uses: Both peppermint and spearmint are used in cooking.
Is fresh spearmint the same as fresh mint?
Compared to peppermint, spearmint has a delicate flavor and fragrance that is often described as sweet. It gets its flavor from the chemical ingredient carvone, which is much subtler than the aforementioned menthol and doesn’t evoke the same cooling sensation.
What do you use spearmint for?
Possible health benefits of spearmint
Some people use spearmint to help alleviate symptoms of nausea, indigestion, gas, headache, toothache, cramps, and sore throat. It is also applied topically, to the skin, to help reduce swelling due to nerve or muscle pain.
What can I use fresh spearmint for?
It’s an incredibly versatile, tasty herb.
- Add Fresh Mint to Greek Yogurt with Berries.
- Make Tea from Fresh Mint Leaves.
- Change Up Your Protein Smoothie.
- Mix Up Your Salad Game.
- Mint Sauce and Mint Jelly.
- Make a Mint Lime Fizzler.
- Cool Off This Summer with Watermelon Mint Popsicles.
What herb is most like mint?
Mint substitutes
- Basil. Basil has a similar tender leaf as mint and is deeply aromatic.
- Peppermint extract. Peppermint extract is also one of your safest bets when it comes to mint substitution.
- Marjoram.
- Tarragon.
- Rosemary.
- Parsley.
- Cilantro.
- Dried mint.
How can I make mint flavor at home?
Crush and smash the leaves in your hands–this will help to release some of the oils and give the process a jump start. Place the leaves in a pint-sized glass jar, and fill the jar the rest of the way with vodka. Give it a shake and set aside in a cool, dark place. Allow the mixture to steep for one to two months.
What can you substitute for mint in a mojito?
Swap in Other Fresh Herbs
Don’t have fresh mint but a garden full of other fresh herbs? Thyme, rosemary, basil and tarragon can brighten up the mix of rum and lime just as effectively.
Is spearmint good for drinks?
Spearmint. The classic and most common variety used in cocktails is, of course, spearmint (Mentha spicata). It’s the standard for a reason—the light, bright sweetness both mellows and elevates a spirit, and can even temper overly-sugary recipes.
What flavors go well with spearmint?
The cooling, clean taste of mint flavor can pair well with chocolate, mocha Irish cream, and coffee flavors.
Which is hotter spearmint or peppermint?
Peppermint is an incredibly pungent—almost spicy—herb. (Its name is starting to seem a bit more fitting, huh?) And though peppermint is perhaps the better known of the two, it’s actually a natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint. This explains why it is so much more potent than its counterpart.
Can you eat spearmint leaves?
Fresh spearmint also contains small amounts of vitamins A and C, as well as the minerals iron and calcium. Mint is safe for most people and consuming it doesn’t typically cause side effects. Allergies to mint are uncommon. In people who are allergic to mint, an interaction with the herb can trigger asthma symptoms.
Which smells stronger peppermint or spearmint?
Both of them smell like mint and have a calming effect on your body. But peppermint smells stronger than spearmint and so some people might prefer the smell of spearmint!
Is grocery store mint peppermint or spearmint?
Of the two, spearmint is the one almost always sold in grocery stores and markets. So when a recipe calls for mint, it’s generally spearmint, recognizable for its light-green, spear-shaped leaves and that classic sweet mint flavor. Spearmint is also commonly used to make gum and candy.
What kind of mint is best for cooking?
Spearmint. Spearmint is most commonly used in cooking for many recipes, including lamb, vegetables, and of course, mint juleps and mojitos.
Does spearmint taste better than peppermint?
If you are looking for a really intense minty flavor in a dish, peppermint is the way to go. If you are looking for a milder minty flavor that won’t overwhelm your dish, spearmint is the better choice. If I’m going to add mint to a recipe while it’s cooking I have two choices.
What does spearmint do to your brain?
In fact, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, spearmint extract was shown to improve both working and spatial memory. These were statistically significant improvements over placebo that indicated enhanced brain function. Additionally, this study even found benefits to mood and sleep!