What's the most noticeable ingredient in toothpaste, tea, breath fresheners and many other products? Peppermint, of course.
On Sept. 10, Kathy Ackerly's chemistry class found out exactly how this potent flavoring is created.
"The mint distillation process is important for my students to see," said Ackerly. "They get to watch three chemical processes - distillation, condensation, and density."
While visiting Chuck Siderius' farm five miles east of Kalispell, the students watched the mint leaves being put into giant hoppers and infused with steam.
The oil that is stored in the leaves turns into a gas, and flows through tubes and is then condensed. The condensed oil is separated from water, and flows into 400-pound barrels, with each barrel estimated to be worth about $6,500. The students are allowed to taste the pure mint oil.
"It smells like tea," said senior Amber Hutchins. "It's not bad. I've smelled worse."
Other students commented on the strong flavor or smell of the mint, describing it as "sinus-clearing."
"Mint is a very lucrative crop," said Siderius. "However, this profit does come at a price.
"The mint is bought as roots, mint must be bought and replanted every five or six years."
Siderius employs seven people during distillation, after which the oil is shipped to Washington and Kalamazoo, Mich., where it's sold to the D.A. Todd Company.
Said Siderius:
"I enjoy showing the students what farm life is really like."