Mint

See MiNT, for the Atari operating system.

See Mint (coin) for a facility, often government controlled, that manufactures coins.

Mint is a perennial herb that is used to flavor food, candy, teas, breath fresheners, antiseptic mouth rinses, and toothpaste. The underlying minty scent is due to menthol. Mint is a vigorous, spreading plant that tolerates a wide range of conditions. There are hundreds of varieties but only 15 are common. Seven of theses varities are Australian, the others are Eurasian.

Some common varieties include

Spearmint Mentha spicata
Curly mint Mentha spicata 'Crispa'
Peppermint Mentha x piperita
Chocolate mint Mentha x piperita 'Chocolate Mint'
Bergamot mint Menta citrata, syn. M. odorata (smells like Bergamot Orange)

The variety sold as "pineapple mint" is particularly mild and popular.

Pennyroyal resembles mint, but has a much stronger odor and flavor and also potentially harmful medicinal effects.

Mint was originally used as a medicinal herb viewed as a cure for stomach and chest pains. Mint was brought over the North America by early settlers and became commonly used as a flavouring.

Classification: Mints are members of the mint family, Lamiaceae.