Among the many different herbs and spices out there, mint is unique and very easy to distinguish from others. Mint’s unique flavor and cooling sensation are unlike any other – one of the reasons why “minty” is an adjective!
Have you ever wondered what the main differences are between peppermint and spearmint?
The main difference between peppermint vs. spearmint is their flavor – peppermint contains more menthol so is “spicier” (a cooling feeling, not the same type of spicy like cayenne and other spicy spices) and more intense in flavor compared to spearmint.
We’ll review other differences – as well as a few similarities – between peppermint vs. spearmint in this article!
What is peppermint?
Did you know that the peppermint plant is a hybrid? You get peppermint by crossing spearmint with watermint (Mentha × Piperita)! Peppermint is much “spicier” than spearmint, hence the ‘pepper’ in its name.
Peppermint is a very popular flavoring for candies and sweets (like peppermint hot chocolate, ice cream, etc.), gum, toothpaste, and tea. Peppermint is also used as a natural remedy for stomach pain by relaxing the walls of the digestive tract and helping to prevent muscle spasms.
In addition to helping with stomach pain, peppermint is a natural remedy for nausea, gas, and headache relief.
Peppermint oil is typically used to flavor products with the easy-to-recognize minty peppermint taste. Peppermint extracts are also used and are made by diluting pure peppermint essential oil in alcohol or steeping peppermint leaves in alcohol.
What is spearmint?
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is one of many varieties of mint, and likely the kind you’ll find fresh at grocery stores, especially if it’s labeled as just ‘mint’. Spearmint is also called garden mint and common mint.
Compared to peppermint, spearmint has a much milder flavor and is less “spicy” (not spicy hot like cayenne, but a cool spicy – it’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it!). The difference in spiciness is due to the menthol content.
Spearmint is 0.5% menthol compared to peppermint’s 40% menthol content. Like peppermint, spearmint can be used as a digestive aid, but peppermint is usually more popular for this use because of its higher menthol content (menthol is the part of peppermint that helps relax the lining of the stomach and intestines).
Spearmint is also used to flavor gum, toothpaste, and candies, but is used in cooking more often because of its milder flavor. Spearmint is often added to drinks like mint juleps and iced teas and acts as a garnish for savory foods.
You might also find spearmint in:
- Fruit salads
- Sauces to complement savory dishes; pairs especially well with lamb and pork
- Candies/sweets
Peppermint vs. spearmint: a side-by-side comparison
| Peppermint | Spearmint | |
| Botanical name | Mentha × Piperita | Mentha spicata |
| Herb or spice? | Herb | Herb |
| Hybrid? | Yes | No |
| Appearance | Darker, smaller green leaves compared to spearmint; shinier and less hairy than spearmint; often has a purple hue to the leaves | Lighter, larger green leaves compared to peppermint; leaves are usually “hairier” than peppermint |
| Taste | Cool, minty, spicy | Sweet, citrusy, spicy |
| Aroma | Menthol (minty), cool, spicy | Minty, sweet, sharp |
| Common uses | Flavoring in candies & sweets, toothpastes, teas; digestive aid thanks to high menthol content | Garnish for savory meals; as an ingredient in fruit salads, ice cream, etc. |
| Menthol content | 40% | 0.5% |
What type of mint is in gum and mints?
Whether it’s gum or a hard mint to suck on, how do you know which type of mint it contains? Thankfully, the name will probably include the type of mint so you don’t have to gamble.
Lifesavers, Altoids, gum, and other candies will usually say “Peppermint” or “Spearmint” (or something close to that) in the flavor. Most brands offer both peppermint and spearmint versions of flavors to cater to those who prefer a spicier mint or a more mild, sweet flavor.
FAQs:
The term “mint” can describe MANY types of mint (the mint family contains over 30 types of mint); some of the most common are peppermint and spearmint. If something just says “mint”, it usually refers to spearmint, while peppermint has its own distinction because of the higher menthol content making it “spicier”.
If the mint tastes more subtle, it’s likely spearmint, and if it has more of a cool, crisp “bite” to it, it’s likely peppermint.
Mint tea can contain spearmint OR peppermint. If tea just says “mint”, it’s likely spearmint, while peppermint tea is usually labeled as such since there is a difference in flavor.
Spearmint is naturally sweeter compared to peppermint. Peppermint has a much higher concentration of menthol, a chemical that gives peppermint its more intense “spicy” cooling properties.
The high menthol content in peppermint activates your cold receptors, which gives you the feeling of something cold being in your mouth. Peppermint can also make you feel less congested because it activates these same receptors in your nose, which gives you the illusion that more air is passing through your nose than is.
