Nutrition and buying tips: Mint

Below are average values per 1 tsp (0.5g) of dried mint flakes

Proximates
Water 0.06g
Energy 1kcal
Protein 0.10g
Total lipid (fat) 0.03g
Carbohydrate, by difference 0.26g
Fiber, total dietary 0.1g

Minerals
Calcium, Ca 7mg
Iron, Fe 0.44mg
Magnesium, Mg 3mg
Phosphorus, P 1mg
Potassium, K 10mg
Sodium, Na 2mg
Zinc, Zn 0.01mg

Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid 0.0mg
Thiamin 0.001mg
Riboflavin 0.007mg
Niacin 0.033mg
Vitamin B-6 0.013mg
Folate, DFE 3µg
Vitamin B-12 0.00µg
Vitamin A, RAE 3µg
Vitamin A, IU 53IU
Vitamin D (D2 + D3) 0.0µg
Vitamin D 0IU

Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated 0.008g
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated 0.001g
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated 0.016g
Cholesterol 0mg

Tips on buying quality Mint Flakes

Just like with Oregano, Mint is also a harder herb to buy dry. Mint Flakes are harder still, because they are very dark in colour, compared to Oregano. These dark leaves are easy to adulterate by mixing with other cheap and tasteless leaves. However, buying large dried mint leaves is also not sensible. In dried form, mint stems take up such a huge proportion of the weight, that buying mint on the stem / branch still is very wasteful.

We suggest to our customers to buy mint in flake form, or fresh whenever possible. When buying flakes, try to find the volatile oil percentage of the product. Less than 2% means that the product has been definitely diluted, and flavour will be very weak. Usually traders are unwilling to say the % of volatile oil for this very reason. By diluting the product, more or less any price point is achievable while still calling the product “mint”! If it’s not possible to see the % volatile oil, the next best step is to go with a brand you trust, and try to obtain a sample before purchase. You can smell this sample and get an instant idea of how pure the mint is. Good quality mint smells extremely strong and pleasant. Each flake should carry the smell. If you see multiple coloured flakes, be sure to try to separate them and individually smell / taste. 

The final point is to find out the origin of the Mint you are purchasing. A good origin is Lebanon. Lebanon naturally grows very high quality Spearmint, the same grade Regency is sourcing this season. Another good origin for Mint is Turkey. Both these countries have the perfect climate for high quality mint, and depending on season to season, crop can be better in either of these countries.

Our price for Mint today:

10G (0.35 OZ) HKD 26
50G (1.8 OZ) HKD 56
200G (7.1 OZ) HKD 120
500G (17.6 OZ) HKD 202
1KG WHOLESALE PACK** HKD 284