The Strawberry Mint: Delicate Plant, Lots of Aroma

One of the best-known types of mint is peppermint. With its high menthol content, it has a particularly intense flavor and is therefore excellent for breeding new varieties.

We know classic peppermint from herbal teas or when we have a cold. But there is also a mint with the aroma of strawberries! This strawberry mint is just one of many mint varieties, alongside chocolate mint or lemon mint.

As unassuming as the delicate mint with the aroma of strawberries may appear, it is not. Since it belongs to the mint family, like peppermint, one might assume it has an equally aromatic flavor as the plant with which it is related. However, the strawberry mint actually doesn't contain the dominant mint flavor like peppermint. On the contrary, it impresses with a completely unexpected olfactory experience: just lightly touching the leaves of the strawberry mint, one can detect a scent reminiscent of cream. Rubbing the leaves more strongly releases the clear scent of strawberries. Crushing the leaves entirely even brings out the scent of Black Forest cake.

Due to the strong aroma of the strawberries, strawberry mint is perfect for desserts or for enhancing cocktails and other drinks. A great tip for a quick refreshment in summer is to make water with strawberry mint. Simply steep a sprig or individual leaves of strawberry mint in cold water and enjoy it ice-cold the next day. The water tastes of mint and strawberries without using actual strawberries.

Many plants from the Mentha genus are quite space-consuming and are less suitable for planting in groups. However, strawberry mint thrives wonderfully in a herb spiral or on a balcony. It grows very delicately and compactly, requiring little space to grow. When planted in the garden bed, the strawberry-scented mint needs a sunny spot. In a pot, it prefers partial shade.