Buzz
If you’ve ever picked up a pack of chewing gum at the store, you’ve likely noticed the difference between peppermint and spearmint. But—besides the blue packs for peppermint gum and green ones for spearmint—what’s the real distinction between the two?
Although peppermint and spearmint belong to the same Mentha genus, peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica). Both plants share some traits like serrated leaves, pink or light purple flowers, the ability to spread through underground stems known as stolons, and the presence of menthol—the compound responsible for that refreshing cooling sensation. However, the key difference lies in their menthol levels, which explains the difference in flavor between them.
Peppermint packs a punch with its menthol content, which makes up 40 percent, whereas spearmint only contains 0.5 percent. As Taste of Home points out, peppermint’s strong menthol gives it a sharp, even spicy flavor (hence the “pepper” in its name). Spearmint, by contrast, has a compound called carvone, giving it a gentler, sweeter taste. Because peppermint is so intense, it tends to take center stage in recipes—think candy canes or peppermint tea. For savory dishes that include a variety of herbs, spearmint is a better choice since its delicate sweetness complements the flavors without overwhelming them.
Spoon University notes that the two mints are close enough in flavor that you can easily swap one for the other if your grocery store doesn’t stock both. And if you're ever confused about which mint corresponds to which flavor, just look at the colorful gum wrappers—peppermint’s cool, crisp taste aligns with blue, while spearmint’s mellow sweetness is paired with green.
