Spearmint is a type of mint plant with a fresh, sweet flavor that's milder and less intense than peppermint. You've probably tasted spearmint in chewing gum, toothpaste, or candy, where it creates that cool, clean sensation in your mouth without the sharp bite of peppermint.

The plant gets its name from its spear-shaped leaves, which grow in pointed pairs along the stem. Unlike peppermint, which is a hybrid created by crossing two other mints, spearmint has been growing wild for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks and Romans used it to freshen their breath and flavor food, and it's still popular in cooking today, especially in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes like tabbouleh or mint tea.

When you chew spearmint gum, the minty taste comes from natural oils in the plant. These same oils make spearmint useful in things like mouthwash and medicine. Many people grow spearmint in their gardens because it's easy to care for, though it spreads quickly and can take over if it's not kept in check. If you've ever had mint chocolate chip ice cream, that gentle mint flavor is usually spearmint rather than peppermint.