Description

Mentha arvensis or mint, also called “field mint” and “cornmint,” is a perennial plant covered with very fine hairs. The square stems bear oval leaves with serrated edges. Small, lilac-colored flowers form dense heads at the tops of the stems. This wild species grows in meadows and along the edges of wetlands in Europe. In India, it is grown by smallholders on plots of not more than a hectare. Harvesting is done by hand, reaping with a sickle. The aromatic greens are then dried in the open air before being transported to the distillery to be steam-distilled. The resulting essential oil is then dementholated through freezing. The plant contains so much menthol that it precipitates at room temperature. Indeed, Menthe arvensis is a “menthol mint,” like peppermint. The cooling process crystallizes the menthol and helps clarify the essential oil. Despite this process, the mint essential oil still retains 50% of this molecule and thus conserves its minty fresh character.