Some people equate Roman Mint with spearmint, some say it is Lemon Balm. It is actually, though, what in English would be called “Lesser Calamint.”
It is a perennial plant that grows 2 to 3 feet (60 to 100 cm) tall, but spreads out instead of standing erect.
Sometimes the stems are reddish coloured.
It has very small dark green leaves leaves, a slight lemon scent and a slightly sharp, bitter mint taste.
It grows wild in European meadows, and is stronger than North American varieties of wild mint.
It is the kind of mint that is meant when mint is called for in many present-day Roman dishes.
Good fresh or dried.
Note: Some authorities see two more varieties of Calamint: Wood Calamint (Calamintha sylvatica Bromf) and Common Calamint (Calamintha sylvatica Bromf. ssp ascendens.)
Substitutes
Parsley, or Lemon Balm