Did you know that there’s an entire plant family that is called the mint family?! Yes, that’s right: the Lamiaceae family. The mint that we all think of, peppermint, is a hybrid species called Mentha x piperita, and it isn’t found in the wild, but it is cultivated all over the world. Since it’s a hybrid, it doesn’t produce any seeds. Since it is a green, herbaceous plant, we don’t think of it as having a dense profile of macronutrients or micronutrients; in most culinary settings, mint is used just as a garnish!
However, mint does have some chemical constituents, especially menthol, which is what creates its distinct minty flavor and cooling properties. There’s some evidence that mint can be soothing for the GI tract, so it might be worth exploring if you have frequent upset! Peppermint oil has also been implicated as helping people focus; that’s a property of the entire mint family.
Like most plants, it’s best if you can pick up a bunch of peppermint at your local farmers’ market. If not, you can find it tucked away with other fresh herbs at your grocery store!
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