BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Learn Mint Varieties

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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There are sixteen varieties of the genus Mentha mint plant. All of the varieties share the trait of taking on a particular taste. Several varieties share various flavor nodes that exhibit sweet and savory traits. Red mints are a peppermint variety and are extremely strong in flavor. They contain menthol are commonly used for upset stomachs. Common spearmints, or green mints, do not contain menthol and are used in cooking. These include Kentucky Colonel, Curly, Lemon Bergamot Swiss and Mint the Best.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Identify the varieties of mint with underlying flavors of orange, basil, lavender, banana, spearmint, lemon, chocolate, apple and pineapple by rubbing the leaves of each plant between the thumb and index finger to release the specific aroma and specific taste.

Step2

Distinguish the Peppermint varieties by their very strong menthol-flavored taste and smell. They contain menthol and are commonly used for upset stomachs. Some of these varieties are Basil, Moroccan, Lime, Orange Bergamot, Chocolate, Lavender and Peppermint.

Step3

Recognize gray fuzzy mints as Egyptian, apple and pineapple. These are also great cooking mints.

Tips & Warnings

Grow mint varieties in a shallow, large surface pot.
Adjust soil pH levels between 6 and 7.5 and keep well watered for best results.
Use various varieties of dried mint in potpourris.
Do not allow mint to grow unattended in the ground, as mint is a very invasive plant.
Pennyroyal is a groundcover mint that must never be ingested. This mint is commonly used as a pest repellent.