1. L-alpha menthol is a colorless needle-like crystal. Soluble in ethanol, miscible with oils. Has a cool, fresh, pleasant characteristic aroma of mint with a sweet acrid breath. It gives a cold sensation and the aroma is translucent, but not sufficiently persistent. The taste is also fresh and sweet with a cool flavor.
2. Naturally present in pepper-like peppermint oil, Japanese peppermint oil, and in small amounts in essential oils such as vanilla oil.
3. Ordinary crystals have traces of liquid oil and very small amounts of non-volatile substances on the surface, and synthetic menthol is a mixture of various isomers.