The United States produces 70% of the world’s peppermint and spearmint supply, but you may be surprised to learn that Indiana is the 4th leading producer of mint in the U.S.
The “muck” soils of northwest Indiana, which are high in organic matter and loosely textured for good root growth, make it ideal for growing peppermint, native spearmint and Scotch spearmint.
Most of Indiana’s crop is distilled to make mint oil to flavor products like gum, candy and dental products. The oil is intensely flavored and goes a long way — one pound of mint oil flavors approximately 40,000 sticks of gum!