The main difference is their chemical composition. Peppermint is high in menthol (around 40%), giving it a very strong, pungent, and cooling 'bite'. Spearmint contains a compound called carvone and has very little menthol (less than 1%), resulting in a much milder, sweeter, and more delicate mint flavour.
Spearmint tea has a refreshingly sweet, light, and clean minty taste. It lacks the sharp, cooling intensity of peppermint, making it a much smoother and gentler brew that many people find more palatable for everyday drinking.
Yes, spearmint tea is a true herbal tisane and is 100% naturally caffeine-free. This makes it a perfect, refreshing beverage for any time of day or evening, hot or cold.
For an ideal cup, use 1-2 teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of just-boiled water. To capture all the delicate aromatic oils, it's very important to cover your cup or teapot while it steeps for about 5-7 minutes.
Absolutely. Its sweeter, milder flavour is excellent in both sweet and savoury dishes. It's the classic mint for mint sauce to accompany lamb, and is also delicious in salads, dressings, desserts, and cocktails like the Mojito.
The name comes from the appearance of its leaves, which are pointed and spear-shaped, distinguishing them from the more rounded leaves of some other mint varieties.
