Quck answer
Basil and mint are both popular herbs with distinct flavors and aromas. Here are some ways to tell the difference between them:
1. Appearance: Basil leaves are larger and have a vibrant green color, while mint leaves are smaller and come in different shades of green, sometimes with a hint of purple.
2. Smell: Basil has a sweet and aromatic scent with hints of clove and pepper, while mint has a cool, refreshing smell reminiscent of toothpaste or chewing gum.
3. Taste: Basil has a slightly peppery and slightly sweet taste that complements many dishes, while mint has a cool and refreshing flavor often used in desserts and drinks.
4. Texture: Basil leaves are smooth and tender, while mint leaves have a slightly fuzzy texture.
Remember, the best way to differentiate between basil and mint is to rely on your senses of sight, smell, and taste.
Growing your own fresh herbs in your garden is simple and convenient since they require minimal maintenance. However, if your basil (Ocimum spp.) and mint (Mentha spp.) plants have started growing together or if you’ve forgotten which herb you planted, it can be challenging to tell them apart. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to differentiate between these plants to ensure you use the correct herb in your recipes.
Appearance of Mint and Basil Plants
One way to differentiate between basil and mint is by examining their physical appearance. It can be tricky because there are numerous variations of each herb, and each variation looks distinct. Nonetheless, they can still be easily identified based on other characteristics.
The most common type of basil plant is sweet basil, also known as Genovese or Italian basil. Its leaves are smooth and bright green, with no sharp or jagged edges. The leaves have a rounded shape, starting at the base and tapering into a slight point at the tip. They also tend to curve downwards, creating a bow-like effect.
Mint, on the other hand, looks completely different when placed next to a basil plant. Mint leaves have a rougher and textured appearance compared to the smooth and sleek leaves of sweet basil. They have jagged edges along the leaf edges and often appear fuzzy. While mint plants have distinctive physical characteristics, the best way to identify them is through their scent.
Identifying the Scent
Both mint and basil plants have strong and distinct scents. Mint has a menthol fragrance that is also cool to the taste if you bite down on a leaf. Simply rubbing the mint leaves between your fingers will release the scent, which is sharp and reminiscent of cough drops. Spearmint and peppermint are the most common variants of mint, but all types have a similar menthol scent and flavor, with slight variations.
Similarly, basil plants emit a strong fragrance when the leaves are rubbed. The scent is potent, so you don’t need to inhale deeply to detect the hints of clove and anise. This unique basil scent is present in all types of basil plants, including lavender, lemon, and cinnamon basil.
Distinguishing Dried Basil and Mint
It is easiest to differentiate between the two herbs when they are fresh on the stems. When the herbs are dried, it becomes more challenging to tell them apart as they lose many of their distinguishing characteristics. The appearance of the dried leaves is not a reliable method to differentiate between dried mint and basil. Instead, rely on your sense of smell and taste to ensure you are using the correct herb.
Changes in Color and Flavor of Dried Basil and Mint
After the process of drying basil and mint leaves for future use, it can be observed that their color fades significantly and their flavors and scents undergo slight alterations. The distinct aroma that fresh basil possesses becomes somewhat diminished when the leaves are dried. Similarly, the vibrant hues of mint plants fade when their leaves are subjected to the drying process. However, it is fortunate that the recognizable menthol scent of mint remains, albeit not as potent as when the leaves are freshly picked.
