Date: 11:29 pm  Fri Apr 12, 1996       Number : 53 of 100
From: Galen Starwalker                 Base   : [PODS] Herbal Tips & Tricks
To  : All                              Refer #: None
Subj: Culinary Herbs 10                Replies: None
Stat: Sent                             Origin : 12 Apr 96  00:51:00

2.9.4  Which mint do you have?
 
Also see the Monarda / Beebalm entry, as this plant is often used like
the mints: 2.24 below.
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Mints - Mentha spp.
Seeds -- Do not buy
 
The best mints cannot be grown from seeds.  They are propagated asexually
either by cuttings or division.  Often seeds are offered in catalogues or
in seed racks, but the plants that grow from these will be inferior rogues
not worth the bother.  The flavour and odour may have some degree of menthol,
but the mix of oils is almost always a disapointment to anyone who has
enjoyed the fresh, clean scents and flavours from a good spearmint or a
good peppermint.
 
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a natural hybrid, probably between
watermint (M. aquatica) and spearmint (M. spicata).  Its flowers are
sterile and so are incapable of producing true peppermint seeds.  What is
usually sold as "peppermint" seeds is actually a type of spearmint. The
highest and best use of this rogue mint is for medicinal tea, but it is
not nearly as nice as true peppermint.
 
Even though spearmint flowers are fertile and are capable of producing
seeds, seeds produce disappointing results.  In most cases seeds bought as
"spearmint" will turn out to be the same menthol-smelling variety sold as
"peppermint."
 
Why does the seed industry continue to sell mint seeds?  For years the
seed industry has had little interest and expertise in herbs.  Herbs
tended to be sidelines that produced profits and as long as people
continued to buy, the industry did not care.  This is true of oregano
and remains true of other herbs as well.
 
There are some mints, however, that can be grown true from seeds.
Watermint (M. aquatica), applemint (M. suaveolens), corn mint (M. arvensis)
and pennyroyal mint (M. pulegium) all grow from seeds.
 
But for the beginning herb gardener who just wants one mint for tea and
perhaps one for lamb chops, it is better to get plants.
There are many good quality spearmint strains and hybrids including
English mint, improved spearmint, curled spearmint and the plain Jane,
regular spearmint.  Among the peppermints, the most commonly available
variety is black peppermint (M. x piperita vulgaris), but there are
others, like the new "chocolate mint" which, incidently, some swear
really has a "hint" of chocolate it its aroma profile.
 
When buying plants beware of the imposter mints grown from seeds. Just
because mint plants are offered for sale in a reputable garden centre
does not mean that the cultivar offered is a good one.  Many large
growers are growing mints from the same rogue seed varieties sold by
the seed industry.  Always let your nose be the judge; and don't be
afraid to squeeze a leaf to allow the scent to escape into the air.
 
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--- DB 1.58/003790
 * Origin: The Rain Forest * Denver,CO * (93:9083/4)