Japanese mint
Mentha arvensis var. piperascens
Family: Lamiaceae
What it is like
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year and has an aroma. It grows 60-80 cm high. The leaves are broadly sword shaped and 2-4 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are lilac or pink.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Brazil, Canada, China, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, North America, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The flowers are used to scent tea. The flowers yield Japanese mint oil used to flavour cakes and drinks. The leaves and shoots are eaten cooked. They can be preserved.
It is a cultivated food plant.
Edible parts
Leaves - flavouring, leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bakha