What is Spearmint Leaf?

Spearmint Leaf is the dried leaf of Mentha spicata, one of the two most widely cultivated mints in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is also called Common Mint or Garden Mint. Spearmint has a sweeter, less sharp character than peppermint because its primary aromatic compound is carvone rather than menthol.

About the plant

Spearmint is one of the parent species of peppermint, which is a natural hybrid of spearmint and watermint. It is the mint of long culinary tradition across the Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, and the Americas, appearing in mint sauce, mojitos, mint juleps, and Moroccan-style mint tea. Its defining constituents are carvone and limonene.

Related herbs

• Peppermint Leaf — the sharper, menthol-forward mint hybrid.

Spearmint Leaf: form & sizes

We carry Spearmint Leaf as organic cut and sifted dried leaf, sold by weight in sizes from 1 oz to 1 lb. We make no health or therapeutic claims.

Storage

Store Spearmint Leaf in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and humidity, to preserve its color and aroma.

Spearmint Leaf at a glance

Botanical name

Mentha spicata

Family

Lamiaceae

Native region

Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia

Plant part

leaf

Sourcing

Organic

Common names

Spearmint, Common Mint, Garden Mint

Primary compound

Carvone

Distinct from

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

Form

cut and sifted dried leaf

Sizes

1 oz to 1 lb