Chocolate Mint
If someone says chocolate mint, two things instantly spring to mind: mint chip ice cream and Thin Mints. There’s something magic about that combination, and fortunes have been made by expertly melding them.
Perhaps even more enchanting, there’s a plant that smells gloriously of chocolate and mint in its natural state. Walking by a healthy growth of chocolate mint is a sensory delight. Tasting it continues the journey of enjoyment. Discovering how it benefits your health will seal its place in your heart. Curious? Read on.
What Is Chocolate Mint?
Chocolate mint is an herbaceous shrub in the mint family. Technically, it is a hybrid of two mints, peppermint (Mentha piperita) and orange mint (Mentha citrata). It has lovely dark green, lance-shaped leaves, and, in summer, it erupts in lavender-colored flowers. It is a prized culinary herb and a hearty ground cover, though its zealousness makes it a threat to its neighbors.
The mint family has long been a favorite of humans, and its name stems from ancient Greek mythology. As the story goes, Menthe was a beautiful water nymph and lover of the god Hades. Persephone, the wife of Hades, stumbled upon the lovers one day. In her jealousy, she promptly turned Menth into an innocuous shrub that could readily go unnoticed and get trampled by passersby. Hades, taking pity on Menthe, bestowed her with an intoxicatingly lovely aroma to distinguish her throughout time.[1]
Uses and Benefits of Chocolate Mint
As with many herbs, mint has been utilized in traditional medicines for centuries. It is high in vitamins A and C and has trace amounts of manganese. Its common uses include aiding digestion, preventing colds, reducing cramping, and combating nausea. Chocolate mint also shows great potential across an array of more serious conditions.
According to a recent review for the National Institute of Health, mint “exhibits multiple health beneficial properties, such as prevention from cancer development and anti-obesity, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and cardioprotective effects, as a result of its antioxidant potential, combined with low toxicity and high efficacy.”[2] This broad spectrum of benefits places chocolate mint among the stars of superfood magnitude.
How To Enjoy Chocolate Mint
With its tantalizing aroma, chocolate mint makes a great addition to an array of desserts including mousse, custard, and ice cream. It also makes lovely flavored ice cubes and is a fun addition to popsicles. With the winter season coming into full swing, something warming sounds alluring, like steeping it into a soothingly fragrant tea.
With its heady scent, chocolate mint is also a good candidate for aromatherapy. Using it this way is a clever move, as studies have shown smelling mint to improve mental function and reduce anxiety. In addition, chocolate mint can readily be incorporated into a variety of savory dishes (think Mediterranean/Middle Eastern). Just make sure the mint is as fresh as possible, and add it at the end of cooking to optimize its flavor and health benefits.
The Takeaway
Chocolate mint puts a unique twist on whatever you add it to. It packs a punch when it comes to boosting mood, promoting well-being, and helping to prevent or at least ease you through a pesky cold. It is versatile, fun, and a touch romantic. In other words, chocolate mint is just the sort of herb to help you breeze through the winter in a tasty style.
