The estimated number of species of mint plants. Peppermint is a hybrid, or cross, between two species: spearmint and watermint.
Numbers in the News: Peppermint
Peppermint is used in many wintertime treats. Check out some minty-fresh facts about this mouth-tingling flavor.
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
24
ABOUT 40%
The percentage of menthol in peppermint oil. This chemical reacts with nerves in your mouth to create a chilly sensation.
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (CANDY CANE FRAME); MAGNETCREATIVE/GETTY IMAGES (TOOTHPASTE)
1 POUND
The amount of peppermint oil needed to flavor about 40,000 sticks of gum or 1,500 tubes of toothpaste.
1870
The year Altoids were invented—one of the first peppermint candies ever sold. They were advertised as medicine to calm the stomach.
1.76 BILLION
The number of candy canes produced in the U.S. each year.
THINK ABOUT IT: Do you like to eat peppermint-flavored foods? Why or why not?
SOURCES: PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE, USDA, IDAHO PRESS, NATIONAL CONFECTIONERY ASSOCIATION
Skills Sheets
(1)
Lesson Plan
(1)
Text-to-Speech