(Pepper) Mint: How Mint Water is Made?

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is a plant from the Lamiaceae family cultivated worldwide. Peppermint leaves and their essential oil have therapeutic properties as gastric stimulants and carminatives. Peppermint oil is among the most valued and extensively used essential oils in flavoring medications and formulations for oral care, chewing gums, cough syrups, sweets, and beverages.

Like most mint varieties, the history of peppermint is a little unclear because it can be found growing wild in many parts of the world. Scientists don’t know exactly where it first came from, but it’s believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region. The name Peppermint comes from the Latin word Mintha, the Greek name of a nymph who was transformed into a mint plant (it’s a whole story) and piper, meaning pepper. The “pepper” part of its name is particularly apt. It has a spicy, pungent flavor derived from a unique combination of menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate, limonene, and others terpenoids.

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to soda or sugary drinks, mint water is an excellent solution. Mint water is a simple and refreshing beverage that offers significant health benefits. It contains no sugar, no caffeine, and very few calories.  In ancient times, peppermint was distilled to extract its essential oil for use in flavorings and herbal remedies. The oil is commonly used to flavor toothpaste, mouthwash, confectionaries, and cosmetics.