Chocolate Mint is a popular cultivar of peppermint, Mentha x piperita, named for the rich chocolate-and-mint aroma of its foliage that evokes a mint chocolate candy. It carries the same cooling menthol backbone as peppermint but with a warm, cocoa-like undertone that makes it a favorite for desserts, hot chocolate, teas, and garnishes. The plant has attractive dark green leaves with bronze to purplish tints borne on dark reddish stems, growing 1 to 2 feet tall and spreading by runners like other mints. It bears small lavender flowers in summer that attract pollinators. Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 11, it is grown from cuttings or division rather than seed and is best contained in a pot. Chocolate Mint is prized as much for its fragrance as its flavor.
Flavor Profile
Cooling peppermint flavor layered with a warm, cocoa-like chocolate aroma, superb in desserts and hot drinks.
Visual Characteristics
Dark green leaves with bronze to purple tints on dark reddish stems, with small lavender summer flowers.
Growing Tips
Propagate from cuttings or division and grow in a container; the chocolate scent is strongest in rich, moist soil.
Where to Buy
Sourcing information coming soon. Check local nurseries and seed banks for availability.