Description & Distribution 
Mint has several species. The major species are Japanese mint peppermint, spearmint and bergamint, the first two being commercially the significant. After vanilla and citrus, mint is the world's most important flavor. Peppermint is popular among all mints.

Mint is the dried leaf and flowering top of an erect, branched plant, which grows to a height of about 1 Metre. The leaves of peppermint are more distinctively stalled. The stems are cut close to the ground. Herbage is partially dried in the open. Drying is completed indoors. The leaves are separated from the stem when brittle and dried and are fragmented by rubbing through sieves. Propagation is by runners or rooted cuttings from established plant.

A rich, crumbly, sunny and well-drained soil with adequate moisture content is ideal for mint cultivation. The planting site determines the quality of mint grown.

Mint is produced, as a garden crop in homesteads in all states of India. The major mint producing regions are Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Tamil Nadu.

Harvesting Season : Throughout the year
Marketing Season : Throughout the year

Uses
Pepper mint leaves have sweetish aroma, pungent taste and cool after-taste. The oil has strong odor of menthol. Spearmint is less pungent and has no cool after - taste. Cornmint is bitter sweet and mentholic.

Peppermint in mainly used is medicines and for making mint tea. Mint oil and menthol are used as flavoring agents in mouthwashes, tooth pastes and chewing gums.

Spearmint goes well with sauces, desserts, salads, jellies, as well as vegetables and other dishes..