Is mint green or mint blue? (2024)

Mint is a fresh and popular color that can come in several shades, from light green to aqua blue. When most people think of mint, the first color that comes to mind is probably mint green. However, mint can also refer to shades of mint blue. So which color is the “true” mint – green or blue? The answer depends on the context.

Defining Mint Green

Mint green is a light green color, very similar to the color of mint leaves and mint chocolate. It has a cool, refreshing quality. Mint green sits between green and cyan on the color wheel. It is created by mixing the secondary colors green and cyan. Mint green is associated with the shades of the mint plant. It also evokes feelings of rejuvenation and freshness. Mint green works well in designs where you want to create a uplifting, renewed feeling.

Some examples of mint green colors include:

Mint green is often associated with:

– The natural color of mint leaves
– Mint chocolate and desserts
– Health and wellness
– Refreshment and rejuvenation
– Environmentalism and nature

Defining Mint Blue

Mint blue refers to shades of blue-green, often with a touch of aqua. It is a cool, calming color that calls to mind blue waters and clear skies. Mint blue sits between the primary colors blue and green on the color wheel. It is made by mixing cyan with a touch of green. Mint blue has an cool, inviting quality. It can be associated with blue foods like mint ice cream. Mint blue works well when you want to create a relaxed, serene feeling.

Some examples of mint blue colors include:

Mint blue is often associated with:

– Cool blue-green waters
– Blue foods like mint ice cream
– Calmness and serenity
– Escape and relaxation
– Holidays and warm weather

Mint Green vs Mint Blue in Design

In design, mint green and mint blue create different visual effects:

Mint green

– Creates an uplifting, fresh feeling
– Associated with energizing renewal
– Evokes images of nature, plant life, organic foods
– Works well for health, gardening, and environmental themes

Mint blue

– Creates a calm, cooling feeling
– Associated with escape and serenity
– Evokes images of clear waters, blue skies, and distance
– Works well for travel, beach, and relaxation themes

When selecting a mint color for your design, consider the impression you want to make. Mint green is perfect for creating an energizing, renewing, fresh feeling, while mint blue works better for calm, relaxation, and serenity.

Mint Green and Blue in Branding

Many brands have incorporated mint green or mint blue into their brand colors and logos:

Brands using mint green:

• Starbucks
• Whole Foods
• Land Rover
• Animal Planet
• Tic Tac

Mint green evokes the fresh, organic, and natural themes these brands aim to associate with.

Brands using mint blue:

• Tiffany & Co.
• Orbitz
• Lonely Planet
• Virgin Holidays
• Philips Sonicare

Mint blue calls to mind the escape, relaxation, and serenity these travel and self-care brands want to project.

When choosing a mint shade for your brand, think about the impression you want to make. Mint green is great for promoting natural, energetic, and renewing themes, while mint blue works for calm, relaxing, and tranquil themes.

Mint Green vs Mint Blue in Nature

In nature, mint green is more commonly associated with the actual mint plant. The leaves of mint are typically a shade of light green with a hint of blue. However, there are some varieties of mint that have leaves tinted more blue or purple. So natural mint itself can display shades of both mint green and mint blue.

Some examples of mint green and mint blue found in nature:

Mint green

• Mint leaves
• Green sea turtles
• Frogs
• Green tree python
• Jade

Mint blue

• Blue-green algae
• Peaco*ck feathers
• Tropical waters
• Blue-tailed skinks
• Amazonite

So in the natural world, mint can take on both green and blue hues. There are many plants, animals, minerals, and landscapes that display stunning shades of mint green and mint blue found in nature.

Mint Dyes and Pigments

There are a variety of natural dyes and pigments that produce mint green and mint blue colors:

Mint green dyes/pigments

• Chlorophyll – From green plants and algae
• Malachite – Mineral pigment
• Verdigris – Blue-green pigment
• Green earth – Pigment from clay with iron oxides

Mint blue dyes/pigments

• Indigo – Plant-based dye
• Azurite – Mineral pigment
• Egyptian blue – Calcium copper silicate pigment
• Han blue – Barium copper silicate pigment

Many of these natural dyes and pigments have been used since ancient times to color fabrics, paints, and objects shades of mint green and mint blue.

Mint vs. Teal

Mint is often confused with teal, another popular blue-green color. But there are some distinct differences:

Teal

– Darker, more blue-green shade
– Evokes images of peaco*ck feathers, teal waters
– Associated with sophistication, wealth, exclusivity

Mint

– Lighter, more green-tinted shade
– Evokes images of mint leaves, blue skies
– Associated with freshness, serenity, escape

While mint and teal are close, teal is darker and more blue-based, while mint is lighter and more green-based. Teal also conveys more exotic, upscale associations, while mint has more of a calming, refreshing effect.

Conclusion

In summary, mint green and mint blue are distinct shades that both fall under the mint color family. Mint green is light green, inspired by the mint plant. It has an uplifting, energizing effect. Mint blue is light blue-green, inspired by blue waters and skies. It has a calming, cooling effect.

In design and branding, mint green evokes natural, organic themes, while mint blue evokes relaxation and escape. In nature, mint can take on both green and blue hues. When deciding between mint green vs. mint blue, consider the impression and associations you want to make. Both beautiful shades have their place depending on the context.