Jessicas Sweet Pear Mint

Description

Embark on a sensory journey with Jessica’s Sweet Pear Mint, a distinctive and elegant herb created by the late Jim Westerfield, one of the most inventive and prolific mint breeders in the United States. Known for pushing the boundaries of flavour and form within the Mentha genus, Westerfield’s varieties often blur taxonomic lines—Jessica’s Sweet Pear is no exception.

Despite being listed by Minthora as a Mentha villosa, Jessica’s Sweet Pear Mint shows clear hybrid traits, with lime mint-like foliage suggesting a possible cross. The result is a tall, upright plant with a branching, tree-like habit, rather than the creeping sprawl we see in some mints—ideal for container gardens or structured herb beds where space is at a premium. It doesn’t tend to spread to vigorously either, being quite compact.

Its aromatic leaves exude the delicate scent of ripe pears, offering a light, fruity sweetness that sets it apart. This mint shines in desserts, herbal teas, pear-based cocktails, sorbets, and fruit salads, and it pairs beautifully with apple, vanilla, and cream-based dishes.

Whether you’re a collector of rare mints or a culinary adventurer, Jessica’s Sweet Pear Mint is a tribute to Westerfield’s creativity and a delicious, decorative gem for the discerning gardener.