Mint mentha spicata

Mint - mentha spicata

There are at least 18 species of mint and many more hybrid varieties. Most of them contain menthol (essential mint oil), which gives them their characteristic smell and flavour. Spearmint is a preferred variety and commonly used with both sweet and savoury dishes.

Flavour:

sweet followed by a cooling aftertaste

How to Use:

Sauces for desserts and for lamb, fruit soup, split pea soup, lamb stew and roast, fish, poultry, sweet dishes, vegetables, mint jelly, syrups, fruit compotes, devil's food cake, lemon based desserts such as tarts and mousse, frosting, ice cream, sherbet, herb teas and mint tea.

Measuring:

Lamb stew	1/4 teaspoon per pound of meat
White cake	1/4 to 1 teaspoon in a 2 layer mix
Chocolate pudding	1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon in a 2 cup recipe
Peas	1/2 teaspoon in 2 cups
Tea	1/2 teaspoon added to 1 quart

Other Info:

Mint goes well with parsley, cilantro, chili, cardamom and basil

Mint contains limonene, a powerful anticancer agent that some studies suggest can block the development of breast tumors and even shrink them. Although limonene is found primarily in citrus peel, mint is a more appealing source.

Mint Dried Nutrient	Units	1 tsp ------- 0.50 g
Proximates
Water	g	0.057
Energy	kcal	1.425
Energy	kj	5.960
Protein	g	0.100
Total lipid (fat)	g	0.030
Carbohydrate, by difference	g	0.260
Fiber, total dietary	g	0.149
Ash	g	0.053
Minerals
Calcium, Ca	mg	7.440
Iron, Fe	mg	0.437
Magnesium, Mg	mg	3.010
Phosphorus, P	mg	1.380
Potassium, K	mg	9.620
Sodium, Na	mg	1.720
Zinc, Zn	mg	0.012
Copper, Cu	mg	0.008
Manganese, Mn	mg	0.057
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	mg	0.000
Thiamin	mg	0.001
Riboflavin	mg	0.007
Niacin	mg	0.033
Pantothenic acid	mg	0.007
Vitamin B-6	mg	0.013
Folate, total	mcg	2.650
Vitamin B-12	mcg	0.000
Vitamin A, IU	IU	52.895
Vitamin A, RE	mcg_RE	5.290
Vitamin E	mg_ATE	0.010
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated	g	0.008
14:0	g	0.000
16:0	g	0.006
18:0	g	0.001
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated	g	0.001
16:1 undifferentiated	g	0.000
18:1 undifferentiated	g	0.001
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated	g	0.016
18:2 undifferentiated	g	0.002
18:3 undifferentiated	g	0.014
Cholesterol	mg	0.000
Phytosterols	mg	0.410
Amino acids
Tryptophan	g	0.002
Threonine	g	0.004
Isoleucine	g	0.004
Leucine	g	0.007
Lysine	g	0.004
Methionine	g	0.001
Cystine	g	0.001
Phenylalanine	g	0.005
Tyrosine	g	0.003
Valine	g	0.005
Arginine	g	0.005
Histidine	g	0.002
Alanine	g	0.005
Aspartic acid	g	0.012
Glutamic acid	g	0.011
Glycine	g	0.005
Proline	g	0.004
Serine	g	0.004