Mint is the common name for Mentha, a genus that includes over a dozen species. You’ve got spearmint (the classic for mojitos), apple mint (fuzzy leaves, subtle sweetness), and, of course, peppermint.
Peppermint is actually a hybrid—a natural cross between water mint and spearmint. That cross gives it a signature, ultra-high concentration of a compound called menthol, which creates that intense cooling sensation.
Here’s the golden rule: Peppermint is a type of mint, but not all mint is peppermint. When you buy a bottle labeled “mint extract,” you’re usually getting a blend, often dominated by spearmint.
