How many kinds of mint are there? Which kind of mint can't be eaten?

1. There are several

There are as many as 25 types of mint, four of which are common: peppermint, spearmint, lemon mint and catnip. Catnip is not a plant of the mint genus and only has an effect on cats, making them excited. In addition, according to its stems and leaves, it can be divided into two categories. One category is the purple-stem and purple-veined type, whose stems and leaf veins are mostly purple, and some are green. Another type is the green-stemmed variety. The stems of this type are mostly green and less purple, and the leaves are also green.

2. What kind of food should not be eaten

There are many types of mint, some of which are edible and some of which are not. For example, Japanese mint cannot be eaten because it contains a certain amount of toxicity and can act as an insect repellent. In addition, peppermint should not be eaten. Its peppermint oil is also toxic, but it is relatively rare. There are also some plants that are named mint but are not mint, such as catnip and Corsican mint. Don’t eat them either. Although they smell similar, they are not actually mint. Eating them indiscriminately may cause poisoning.

3. Edible Mint

1. Spearmint: Spearmint is native to southern Europe and is grown in many places in my country. Compared with ordinary mint, its smell is not so obvious. It can be used as food or medicine.

2. Peppermint: Peppermint is a hybrid variety. Its smell is a bit strong and many people may not be used to it. It is also widely used in cooking, and many mint-flavored desserts are made with it.

3. Lemon mint: It is called this name because this plant can emit the scent of lemon. Just rub the leaves gently and the lemon fragrance will waft out. It is usually used for viewing.