Spearmint is a member of the mint family original to Europe and Asia. It is also widely cultivated as a food crop and garden ornamental in temperate regions.
In Morocco, spearmint is combined with green tea to produce a traditional beverage called Tuareg tea. Be aware that when visiting the region, you can expect to be served three helpings of this tea at the same sitting and that it is considered an insult for a guest to decline any of them.
Since ancient times, spearmint has had a reputation for spiritual cleansing and clearing away negative vibrations. In ancient Rome, tables were scrubbed with fresh leaves in preparation for feasts. The naturalist Pliny (1 AD) had his students wrap their heads with mint braids to bring delight to the soul, improve the mind, and enhance scholarship. Aristotle prohibited soldiers' use of mint before battles, believing it would diminish their aggressiveness.
During the Middle Ages, spearmint was believed to possess mystical powers and was used to dispel the evil eye. It was also a strewing herb that was scattered on the floor to mask odors resulting from poor sanitation as well as to discourage rodent infestations.
