What does Spearmint smell like?
Crush a leaf of Moroccan mint and you have it: a juicy, sweet green that edges towards candy. No icy shock here. Spearmint holds little menthol and plenty of carvone, a soft molecule that instantly says chewing gum. That roundness makes it easier to wear than peppermint. On skin it fades within an hour or so and leaves a clean herbal trail.
Origin and production
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is one of the parent species of peppermint. Native to Europe and western Asia, it is now grown for its oil in the United States, India and China. The aerial parts are harvested before flowering and steam-distilled. Nanah mint, used for tea in North Africa, belongs to the same species.
How perfumers use it
Spearmint freshens without chilling. It likes lavender, citrus and sage. Prada Luna Rossa (2012) puts it in the heart of a very clean lavender fougère. Armani Code Sport (2011) pairs it with peppermint for a double dose of freshness. Clarins Eau des Jardins (2010) mixes it with bay leaf and blackcurrant in a leafier feminine style.
How to wear it
Wear it from spring to late summer, in the daytime. Luna Rossa takes three sprays without bothering anyone at the office, while Boss Bottled Marine stays quieter.