Mint
Mentha spicata · Herb
4 varietiesTop 10 pairings
Tabbouleh, mint tea, mojitos and lamb sauce all call for spearmint, a sweet garden herb. It's bright and grassy, and cools without peppermint's icy menthol. Use it fresh or dried.
Picking a good onedrag
Just cut, standing stiffLimp, yellowing, slimy
Shop freshEveryday bestThe all-rounder: salads, sauces, yoghurt, drinks.
Leaf colourGreen, a pale lower leaf or two
The bunchSoftening, leaves starting to cup
Cut stemCut end drying brown, stem stiff
Smell when bruisedScent comes when a leaf is rubbed
Keeping ittap a temperature
A domestic fridge holds it about 6× longer than the counter.
95-100%
Humidity
Vented bag, not sealed
Airflow