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THE CHEF ENCYCLOPEDIA:
Culinary Herb & Spice Reference Guide
Mint
(Mentha: many varieties)
Family: Labiatae
Native to the Mediterranean, mint is now grown virtually worldwide with
over 40 varieties. The leaves of several species of the plant Mentha
are used, with the commonest in culinary use being spearmint (mentha
spicata or crispa). Pennyroyal (mentha pulegium) is also used in the
kitchen while peppermint (mentha piperita) is cultivated for its oil.
There are many varieties of mint in cultivation, and each has a distinctive
scent and flavor. Spearmint and peppermint leaves are deep green, long,
pointed and crinkled, while Pennyroyal has small oval leaves, that are
greyish in color. Mint is used in both sweet and savory dishes, and
commonly paired with lamb or fruit and used in cold desserts and chocolate.
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