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Not a Japanese mint...

Submitted by Blog - Henriette on 31 August, 2007 - 10:00
Blog categories: 
Knowns
Botanical name: 
Calamintha nepeta

I have no idea what this is.

I think this is what was sold to me as Japanese peppermint seeds. The taste is that of peppermint ... I've tried to look up various Micromerias, Saturejas and the like, but so far, no go.

What is this?

Any hints gratefully accepted.
Not a Japanese mint at all
Another view.

Comments

Submitted by ling (not verified) on 31 August, 2007 - 23:20.

PDRhealth states:
mentha arvensis var piperascens

cold
liver and gallbladder
pain

a source of menthol/in actual cogh drop products

Submitted by Henriette on 1 September, 2007 - 09:06.

That's very nice, but THIS IS NOT Mentha arvensis var. piperascens. In fact, it's not a Mentha at all. I'm guessing Micromeria, or even Nepeta. Mentha? Pffft.

Submitted by Rebecca (not verified) on 1 September, 2007 - 22:39.

Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi . . . lesser calamint.

Photo here.

Aliases (courtesy of USDA):
Calamintha nepetoides Jord.
Clinopodium nepeta (L.) Kuntze
Satureja calamintha (L.) Scheele
Satureja nepeta (L.) Scheele

Submitted by Henriette on 2 September, 2007 - 17:48.

Many thanks! I didn't know this one had such a strong taste of menthol - I think I've seen it elsewhere before.