Spearmint
Inventory, 4 oz : 1.00
This item was last sold on : 10/31/24
Fresh Origins | Homepage |
Description/Taste
Mint Spearmint Tops are comprised of 3 to 4 twin leaflets that vary in size from 2 to 6 centimeters, connected opposite each other on a sturdy, purple stem. The leaves are ovate in shape with serrated edges, prominent veining, and a crinkled texture, contributing to the tender and succulent nature of the leaf. Mint Spearmint Tops have a strong but pleasant aroma and a sweet and herbaceous flavor that imparts a cooling sensation on the palette.
Seasons/Availability
Mint Spearmint Tops are available year-round.
Current Facts
Mint Spearmint Tops are harvested from the stem of spearmint, botanically classified as Mentha spicata, a perineal herb in the Lamiaceae family. The sprigs are picked when the leaves are immature to maximize the mint’s sweet flavor and tender texture. Spearmint is also known as yerba buena, lamb’s mint, and lady’s mint. Mint varieties, including spearmint, have been used for centuries for culinary purposes as well as in the production of toothpaste, candy, soaps, gum, cleaning products, and cough drops. Mint Spearmint Tops are a part of a boutique line of specialty greens developed by Fresh Origins Farm in San Marcos, California, grown year-round and in-house in sprawling, sustainably-minded greenhouses. Mint Spearmint Tops are designed to add flavor and texture to a variety of sweet and savory culinary dishes and beverages.
Nutritional Value
Mint Spearmint tops are rich in vitamins A and C, two types of antioxidants that support the immune system, cell production, and division. The herb also contains a variety of different minerals needed in the body, including riboflavin, calcium, folate, iron, potassium, magnesium, and manganese, helping with hormone regulation and the development of connective tissues and bones within the body. The volatile oils in spearmint can also be used to soothe an upset stomach and to freshen breath.
Applications
Mint Spearmint Tops are best suited as an edible garnish and provide textural, visual, and flavorful elements to various dishes and beverages. The tender, crisp greens are best showcased when consumed fresh and should be added at the end of plating to avoid wilting. Mint Spearmint Tops are commonly used to decorate cakes, tarts, ice cream, sorbet, and other desserts, but the herbs can also be floated atop soups, tossed into salads, or mixed with fresh fruit and yogurt. Mint Spearmint Tops are also famous for their use in mixology, often muddled into cocktails, garnished over fruit punches, or stirred into teas and sparkling beverages. Mint Spearmint Tops pair well with fruits such as watermelon, berries, and citrus, meats such as poultry, veal, and turkey, seafood, herbs such as parsley, cilantro, basil, and tarragon, watercress, nasturtiums, chocolate, cucumbers, peas, and squash. Mint Spearmint Tops will generally keep 5 to 7 days when stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Spearmint was introduced to North America in the early 18th century, where it thrived and grew in popularity as a garden plant thanks in part to a group known as the Daughters of Liberty and the American revolution. The Daughters of Liberty emerged in the American colonies in 1768 due to the Townshend Acts, which included a series of taxes and levies placed on British goods imported to the colonies. These taxes were incredibly unpopular with locals who saw them as corrupt and unfair. In response, the Daughters of Liberty members organized boycotts against many British goods, including textiles, paint, lead, and, famously, tea. The women organized spinning parties to spin yarn and wool into fabric and planted herbs in their gardens that they used to make tea. Spearmint was a popular herbal tea ingredient because it thrived in gardens, had a pleasant aroma and flavor, and could help soothe upset stomach and headaches. Spearmint remained popular following the American Revolution and quickly spread throughout the country as settlers headed west. Today, spearmint is produced in massive amounts for the toothpaste and gum industry but still has a place in many home gardens for tea, cocktails, and other beverages, as well as for desserts and garnishing.
Geography/History
Mint is native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe and has been used since antiquity as a medicinal and aromatic herb. The herb spread quickly through Europe, naturalizing in many different areas. Mint was spread to North and South America by European settlers and quickly grew as a cash crop through the 18th century, valued for its essential oils, which are used extensively in oral hygiene products. Today mint grows throughout many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, North and South America, and parts of Africa. Mint Spearmint Tops were developed at Fresh Origins in San Marcos, California, the leading American producer of naturally grown microgreens and Petite® Greens since the mid-1990s. The temperate climate of southern California allows Fresh Origins to produce their high-quality greens year-round, supplying produce retailers and chefs throughout the United States and Canada.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Beach Terrance Inn | Carlsbad CA | 760-729-5951 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Spearmint. One is easiest, three is harder.
Cookie and Kate | Fresh Mint Dressing | |
Hungry Enough to Eat Six | Easy Spearmint Iced Tea | |
Simply Recipes | Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream | |
Food 52 | Tomato-Spearmint Cocktail |
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