Both these aromatic herbs are part of the mint family, and there's no significant difference between them besides their intensity. Spearmint’s relatively mild flavor comes from the chemical ingredient carvone which is naturally found in most essential oils. Both have menthol in them, but peppermint contains a higher menthol content (40% versus .05% in spearmint). Mint adds bright and bold flavor to your recipes. In savory dishes, spearmint is usually the herb of choice; however, peppermint is the favorite herb for sweet recipes as it pairs well with chocolate and citrus flavors.