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Scotch Spearmint | |
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Scotch spearmint (Mentha x gracilis) is a sterile, perennial herb which is propagated vegetatively. Spearmint leaves are used in teas, to garnish drinks and fruit cups, and to flavor various soups, meats and vegetable dishes. Essential oils extracted from spearmint are used as flavorings for meat products, alcoholic beverages, pharmaceutical preparations, chewing gum and oral care products. Nutritionally spearmint contains large quantities of vitamins A and C. On the world mint market Scotch spearmint is second only to peppermint, however this is a substantial market and it is increasing. Even with the increased demand for spearmint herb, there is only a small potential for commercial production in Canada, because of competition with established producers in the U.S.
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Scotch Spearmint | 
Mentha spica | 
M. spica flower |
Photos (M.Spica): V. Sowiak |
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Kwesi Ampong-Nyarko.
This document is maintained by Shelley Barkley.
This information published to the web on June 11, 2001.
Last Reviewed/Revised on May 14, 2009.
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