Best mint for cooking?

[kentishgal]

I only have one mint in my garden at the moment (well, I had to have a chocolate one!) but Im wondering is plain garden mint better for going in with your peas or tatties?
Which mint is best to get for cooking with??

[Newton]

With an abundance of the produce of the royal mint you can get someone to cook for you!

[veggiechicken]

Applemint for mint sauce IMHO. Whichever mint you buy, rub a leaf first, just to be sure you like the smell. Some of the common mints are disgusting!

[Jeanied]

I discovered the mint I grew up with was spearmint - slightly shiny leaves and not furry like the applemint I have on the allotment (in a bucket!). I must admit I prefer it for peas and new potatoes.

[otorongo]

I have one kind of mint that I haven't been able to identify, I've seen images that look like mine labeled as spearmint and apple mint. I like to add it to my smoothies, it goes well with greens as well as fruit when I fancy a mix of sweet and minty.

[veggiechicken]

Apple mint is furry, spearmint is smooth - if that helps!

[VirginVegGrower]

Common garden mint is spearmint as stated above. I use chocolate mint for baking with mint. Moroccan mint for mint tea/digestive purposes. There are so many more and I'm up to about a dozen varieties but lots more to add to the collection.

[eirish]

The chocolate one is peppermint - great for tea, but I prefer spearmint/garden mint for cooking. Agree with doing the sniff test before buying! I've got some lovely stuff that was already here, but was seriously tempted by one labelled 'Moroccan Mint' yesterday. I've seen it recommended in books and now I know why!

[GardenFaery]

lemon balm

[David_richards]

Spearmint is the classic, applemint is great for a roast lamb, I use gingermint in many dishes, lemon mint is good in drinks or with chicken, and all mints.. good in a mojito!

[VirginVegGrower]

I have Atlas Mountain mint which I haven't yet found a use for. Anyone else have this?

[veggiechicken]

That's a new one on me, VVG!

[VirginVegGrower]

That's a new one on me, VVG!

It's a Jekka mint. Furry and a blue green leaf colour. Very pretty!

[veggiechicken]

From the same group as Apple mint
Mint | Sunland Herbs
Mentha suaveolens ssp. timija (Atlas Mountains Mint): To 2′ tall. Small hairy oval grey-green leaves and mauve summer to fall flowers. Used for both medicine and cooking; said to prefer poor, well-drained soils.
I do like mints but I get them all mixed up after a while - can't remember which is which or used for what

[VirginVegGrower]

From the same group as Apple mint
Mint | Sunland Herbs
Mentha suaveolens ssp. timija (Atlas Mountains Mint): To 2′ tall. Small hairy oval grey-green leaves and mauve summer to fall flowers. Used for both medicine and cooking; said to prefer poor, well-drained soils.
I do like mints but I get them all mixed up after a while - can't remember which is which or used for what

Ooh Ta VC! I'll go have a look see. Mine are in big pots with half grit to half soil. Always. They seem to like it!