True peppermint oil is steam distilled from the partially dried herb of Mentha Piperita which is a hybrid from three other species of Mentha, all natives of southern Europe. The peppermint plant was brought to the U.S.A. early in the 19th century and these plants were the foundation of what are today the largest peppermint growing centers in the world like the northeastern United States, now practically abandoned except for experimental stations, then the Midwestern states of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin, all decreasing their production. The fareastern states of Oregon and Washington are now the main producers of American peppermint oil. Recently a very good oil is obtained from India. Natural Peppermint Oil is a pale yellow or pale olive liquid of fresh, strong, somewhat grassy minty odor with a deep balsamic sweet backnote and a sweet, clean dryout note. The grassy topnote may disappear or fade after proper ageing of the oil. Even the odor gives an impression of coolness, often due to the psychological effect of associating the known flavor with the impression of the odor. Peppermint odor and flavor are well known by practically everybody who brushes his teeth, eats candy, chews gum, uses mouthsprays or gargles, etc. The flavor of the oil appears strong and cooling, but the cooling effect masks some of the delicate, sweet balsamic backnotes of the oil. Rectified or redistilled peppermint oils are water white or almost colorless. Their flavor is free from weedy topnotes and harsh resinous or oily residue notes. The oil is more easily soluble in diluted alcohol and its keeping qualities are superior to those of the natural oil. Mitcham Peppermint Oil is distilled in England from a Mentha species which is a parent of the American peppermints. The English oil, also known as black Mitcham oil is known for its unusually high content of menthyl esters and their modest content of the bitter tasting ketone, Menthone. The English Mitcham plant has now been introduced into France, Italy, Bulgaria, Argentina and numerous other countries. However, in no country other than England is the typical old fashioned Mitcham peppermint oil produced. Peppermint Oil is occasionally used in perfumes, in lavender colognes, fougeres and geranium bases for its generally lifting effects at low concentration.
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