MINT

 MINT  [MENTHA viridis , M. piperita] TAM: PUDHINA  புதினா

 Mint is a herbal spice rich in comforting flavor that attracts human olfactory sense so  much that a variety of culinary delicacies make use of  the herb. It is a tiny herb 8-10 inches tall with glossy green leaves , rich in aromatic menthol  from mint oil. The flavor is captivating and has a wider appeal to palette.  Historically mint seems to have had patronage over civilizations across the world.. Mint is believed to have several medicinal uses ranging from beautifying act to that of a curative especially in alleviating the ‘not-so- tolerable’ feel of nausea.

Over a long period hundreds of Mint hybrids have been derived by hybridization either planned or in nature. Thus a baffling array of mints is around with varied appeal and utility to human consumption. 

Some such are : Scotch spear mint  , Peppermint [Mentha  X Piperita = M. piperita] ,=Peppermint  The flavor derived is a component in  candy called peppermint –a name twisted by grandmas  as ‘பப்பறமுட்டு’

Pine apple mint [M. suaveolens variegata   X  M.suaveolens= pine apple mint]

Ginger mint [M. arvensis X M.spicata = Ginger mint], Scotch spearmint]

Large Apple mint [M. spicata X M. suaveolens =Large apple mint]

There are indeed many more such hybrids are more are being tried.

In India, mint leaves are widely used in food items, chutneys and other domestic preparations. Mint leaves are additives in beverages –especially tea

Several cosmetics, food flavour are served by mint extracts-  besides their value as insecticides.

A tiny herb of vast acceptance and universal delight is ‘mint’ widely called

‘PUDHINA’ across India.  

**************************************************************