Mentha Spicata
Spearmint Leaf | Mentha Spicata | Dried Mint Herb | Herbal Tea | Cooking Spice
ORIGIN OF BULGARIA
Botanical Name: Mentha Spicata
Other Names: Garden Mint, Common Mint, Green Mint, Lamb Mint, Mackerel Mint
Spearmint, is one of the most valued herbs in cooking and traditional use. Its Latin name is Mentha spicata. Thanks to its distinctive fresh, minty aroma, it is widely used in the kitchen.
The aroma of spearmint is characteristically mild, refreshing, and slightly sweet. Compared with Mentha piperita, it has a more delicate and gentle flavor. Because of its pleasant and subtle aroma, Mentha spicata is widely used in traditional, Eastern, and modern cuisines. It adds a fresh and aromatic touch to dishes.
Usage:
-Enhances the flavor of legume dishes
-Adds aroma to meat dishes
-Suitable for sauces and marinades
-Adds freshness to dairy products
(To preserve its fresh and pleasant aroma as much as possible, add spearmint toward the end of cooking or just before serving.)
Infusion: Add 2 tablespoons of the herb to 500 ml of boiling water.
Traditional Use
Spearmint is the sweet, gentle mint of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, beloved in Balkan cooking. It is traditionally used:
- In the kitchen: meat, fish and vegetable stews, soups, bean dishes, yogurt sauces and salads; add at the end of cooking to keep its fresh aroma
- To soothe the stomach, ease bloating, gas and occasional queasiness, and support comfortable digestion
- To support clear, comfortable breathing in the cold season
- To help ease everyday tension
- As a refreshing tea, hot or iced, and a gargle for fresh breath
Harvest & Character
Harvested July and August just before flowering, when richest in essential oil. Dried crumbled leaves with a sweet, fresh, gentle mint aroma. Store separately from other herbs.
Disclaimer: These statements and products have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. If you have a health concern or condition, consult you doctor. Always consult a medical doctor before modifying your diet or using any new product.
