Origin: United States

Peppermint is a natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint. It was introduced by English settlers to the U.S., with cultivation beginning in Massachusetts in the early 1800s, before larger scale production commenced in the Midwestern states. Because of favorable growing conditions, in the early 1900s, peppermint cultivation flourished in the Northwestern states. As peppermint is cultivated by root stock, it needs long warm days and cool nights in order to grow. Dry climate, such as that found in Washington’s mint-growing regions, is helpful in fending off leaf diseases.