Origin and distribution

Origin and distribution

    • Mint is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean basin and, from there, spread to the rest of the world by both natural and artifiĀ¬cial means.

    • USA is the major producer of peppermint and spearmint.

    • Bergamot mint is a native of Europe and has been naturalized in eastern USA.

    • It grows successfully in the temperate and subtropical region of India.

    • In India, Japanese mint is grown mainly in the Terai region, extending to parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plains and parts of Punjab in North-western India.

    • The total area under mint cultivation, which is mostly confined to Uttar Pradesh and the Punjab, is around 10 000 ha.

    Area and production
  • M. arvensis is cultivated in about one lakh hectares in India predominantly in UP, Terai region and the annual production of menthol from India is 8000 ton.

Last modified: Tuesday, 3 April 2012, 9:27 AM