Michigan mint growers have a strong market for their crop with the flavoring used in a wide assortment of products. It is used in baking, candy making, coffee, cocoa and many other products.

In 2000, Michigan growers produced 77,000 pounds of spearmint. Peppermint accounted for 50,000 pounds of production.

The oil extracted from mint through a steam distillation process is highly concentrated. One pound will flavor 135,000 sticks of gum. Chewing gum companies regularly blend mint oils to maintain a consistent and specific flavor. An advantage to growing mint is farmers may store the oil for several years if market prices fall.

Mint requires a lot of sunshine, yet may be grown in mineral or muck soils (dark, fertile soils containing decomposed vegetable matter).