Apple mint with its fuzzy slightly gray and rounded leaves and pineapple mint with attractive variegated leaves, both have fruity overtones. Corsican mint, a tiny leafed ground cover, is not as hardy as the others but has a strong taste and was the original flavor of creme de menthe. Mint is used in candy, chocolate, vinegar, tea, sauces, sorbet and is a necessary ingredient in tabbouleh and mint julep. Mint is popular in Middle Eastern, Indian, Arabic and Greek cooking but is little used in French, German, Spanish or Italian cuisine. At one time it was used medicinally but it contains a toxic chemical.
American pennyroyal is a different plant.
A Greek myth tells how mint got its name. Pluto was in love with a beautiful nymph, Minthe. Pluto's wife, Persephone, found out and turned Minthe into a plant. However, the more Minthe was walked on the sweeter she smelled. In history mint played many roles.