Mint (spearmint)

نعناع / na'nā'; spearmint

Flavor and role

A herb with a cool, refreshing aroma; for cooking, spearmint, milder than peppermint, is mostly used.

Typical dishes and uses

Tabbouleh, Moroccan mint tea, mojito, Vietnamese wraps, biryani, tzatziki. In this book: tabbouleh, chicken biryani and souvlaki sauce.

Substitutes

1 tbsp fresh mint = 1 tsp dried mint. In salads, basil or perilla leaves (or shiso) can be mixed in.

Storage

Wrapped in a damp kitchen towel in a zip bag in the fridge, it keeps 5-7 days.

Main countries

Lebanon · Morocco · Vietnam

Used in this book

Chicken BiryaniTabboulehBánh Xèo (Vietnamese Crispy Sizzling Crêpes)Bún Chả (Hanoi Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles)FalafelFattoushGỏi Cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp and Pork)Larb Gai (Thai Minced Chicken Salad)Baba ganoush eggplant boatsBánh Mì Rice BowlCrispy Mekong-Style Bánh Xèo with Mung Beans and Coconut CreamCrispy Bánh Xèo Shrimp Salad BowlCharcoal Bún Chả with Homemade Caramel and Crispy ShallotsBún Chả Burger with Pickled Carrot and Sriracha MayoCrispy Vermicelli Cake with Bún Chả MeatballsCheesy Keema Mini Bunny RollsChicken Tikka Burrito with Mint RaitaButter Chicken Cheese ToastChana Masala Cheese ToastieHyderabadi Chicken Dum BiryaniChicken Biryani BurritoBiryani Chicken Rice BowlChicken Karahi TacosKarahi Chicken Cheese Naan MeltChicken Tikka Masala QuesadillasBaked Falafel Crunch BowlRestaurant-style fattoush with za'atar pita crisps and pomegranateMexican-style fattoush with tortilla crisps and avocadoLabneh fattoush toastCrisp-Crusted Fish Burger with Minty Pea SmashWhipped Ful & Tahini Toast with Za'atarGado-Gado Rice Paper RollsGarlic Naan Pull-Apart BreadCoconut-Poached Pork and Tiger Prawn Summer RollsCrispy Rice Paper Shrimp DumplingsHoriatiki-fattoush with za'atar fetaSheet-Pan Gyros Nachos with Pita Chips and Whipped FetaMasala Kartoffelpuffer with Mint Raita (German x Indian)Khichdi-Style Koshari with Ghee TadkaHand-Chopped Larb Gai with Lemongrass Khao Khua and Crispy Chicken SkinLarb Gai Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Sriracha CreamCrispy Larb Gai Rice Paper Dumplings with Lime-Chilli DipMango Coconut Dessert MakiCrispy Coconut Sticky Rice Cakes with Mango-Lime SalsaCrispy Dosa Chaat BowlTandoori Chicken Momo with Mint YoghurtRoasted Vegetable Couscous Bowl with Whipped FetaCrispy Moussaka BowlCoconut Panna Cotta with Lime MangoPav Bhaji Cheese QuesadillasLemon Curd Berry PavlovaRogan Josh Keema Loaded FriesMasala Rösti with Mint-Yoghurt ChutneyHalwai-Style Punjabi Samosas with Two ChutneysSamosa ToastieSom Tam Summer RollsMasala Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Mint RaitaSpiral Spanakopita with Three CheesesSaag Feta Phyllo SamosasTabbouleh with Tomato-Water Dressing and PomegranateCrispy Tabbouleh Fritters with Garlic YogurtCinnamon-Sugar Mini Yorkies with Berries and Cream

Updated 2026-10-10