Spearmint
Herbal infusion
About this tea
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is the sweeter, gentler cousin of peppermint — a caffeine-free herbal tisane, not a true tea, known across the Spanish-speaking world as 'hierbabuena' (good herb). Unlike peppermint, whose dominant volatile is the cooling menthol, spearmint's flavor is led by carvone, giving a softer, almost candy-like sweetness with very little of peppermint's chill. This is the mint used in Moroccan mint tea, Cuban mojitos, and Middle Eastern cooking. Spearmint is also the most studied mint in modern hormone research: small clinical trials suggest it may have mild anti-androgenic effects, which is why it has attracted interest as a supportive drink in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
How to brew: 95°C, 5 min, 2 g per cup.
Caffeine
None
How to brew
Flavor notes
minty, sweet, fresh
Often associated with
Digestive comfort, Freshness
Best time to enjoy
After a meal, Any time
Tags
Origin & Production
Spearmint is native to Europe and southern Asia, particularly the Mediterranean basin, and has been cultivated for so long that its exact wild origin is uncertain. Today it grows worldwide in temperate climates, with major commercial cultivation in the United States (Washington, Oregon, Indiana), Morocco, India, China, and Spain. The plant spreads vigorously through underground runners and is famously easy to grow — sometimes too easy, often becoming a garden invader if not contained.
Production process
Propagation
Spearmint is propagated from underground runners or stem cuttings rather than seed, ensuring consistent cultivar character. Planted in early spring, it spreads rapidly to form dense rows.
Harvest
Plants are cut just before flowering, when carvone and other essential oils reach peak concentration. Multiple cuttings (2–3) are typically harvested per season from the same field.
Field wilting
Cut stems are left in windrows on the field for 1–2 days to reduce moisture, concentrating essential oils in the leaves before processing or distillation.
Drying & leaf stripping
For tisane use, leaves are dried at controlled temperatures (30–40°C) to preserve colour and carvone content, then stripped from stems and lightly broken or kept whole depending on grade.
Cutting & packaging
Dried leaves are sieved to remove dust and stems, cut to the desired size, and packaged in airtight, light-protected containers to preserve aroma.
History & Tradition
Spearmint has been the gentler, sweeter member of the mint family since antiquity — found in Greek banquets, medieval gardens, Moroccan tea ceremonies, and modern Cuban cocktails.
Ancient Mediterranean use
Spearmint was cultivated across the ancient Mediterranean, used by Greeks and Romans as a culinary herb, breath freshener, and digestive remedy. The genus name Mentha derives from the Greek nymph Minthe.
Pliny the Elder
Pliny's Natural History describes spearmint among the most useful kitchen and medicinal herbs of the Roman Empire, recommending it for digestive complaints and to perfume rooms and tables.
Linnaean classification
Carl Linnaeus formally classified spearmint as Mentha spicata, distinguishing it from peppermint (Mentha × piperita), which would later be identified as a hybrid of spearmint and watermint.
Moroccan mint tea spreads
Spearmint became the defining herb of Moroccan mint tea (atay), traditionally brewed with green tea, fresh spearmint leaves, and sugar — now one of the most iconic tea preparations in the world.
PCOS clinical trial
A randomized controlled trial published in Phytotherapy Research found that drinking two cups of spearmint tea daily for 30 days significantly reduced free testosterone in women with hirsutism, drawing scientific attention to spearmint's anti-androgenic potential.
Health Benefits
Digestive comfort
Spearmint's essential oils — primarily carvone and limonene — have mild antispasmodic effects on smooth muscle in the gut, supporting comfort after meals without the strong cooling sensation of peppermint.
Cognitive support
A randomized trial in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported that a standardized spearmint extract improved working memory and attention in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Hormonal balance support
Small clinical trials suggest that drinking 1–2 cups of spearmint tea daily may have mild anti-androgenic effects, of interest for women with hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Always consult a healthcare professional for medical conditions.
Polyphenol antioxidants
Spearmint is a rich source of rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acids — polyphenols with potent antioxidant activity in laboratory studies, supporting cellular defense against oxidative stress.
Breath & oral freshness
Carvone has natural antimicrobial activity against common oral bacteria. Spearmint has been the favourite flavouring for chewing gum, toothpaste, and mouthwash for over a century precisely for this reason.
Grades & Varieties
Moroccan Nana mint
The classic Moroccan cultivar (Mentha spicata var. nana) used in atay — North African mint tea. Bright green, intensely aromatic leaves with a particularly sweet, almost peppery character ideal for pairing with gunpowder green tea and sugar.
Best for
- ✓Moroccan-style mint tea
- ✓Mixed with green tea
- ✓Iced summer infusions
Native garden spearmint
Common garden spearmint dried for tisane. Sweet, soft, and gently fragrant — the everyday hierbabuena of Spanish and Latin American kitchens. Lower in carvone than the Moroccan variety but more versatile.
Best for
- ✓Standalone digestive infusion
- ✓Mojito and lemonade leaves
- ✓Daily caffeine-free cup
Cut & sifted (tea bag)
Finely cut spearmint leaves optimised for tea bags. Quick extraction delivers a strong sweet-minty character with less complexity than whole leaf, but excellent convenience for daily drinking.
Best for
- ✓Daily tea bags
- ✓Office and travel
- ✓Quick after-meal cup
Did you know?
A 2010 randomized clinical trial published in Phytotherapy Research found that drinking two cups of spearmint tea daily for 30 days significantly reduced free testosterone in women with hirsutism — making hierbabuena the most studied mint for hormonal balance.
Foods with this tea
What to Eat with Spearmint Tea
Hierbabuena's sweet, gentle mint pairs beautifully with grilled meats, Middle Eastern mezze, fresh salads, and chocolate-mint desserts.
Lemon-Hierbabuena Tabbouleh with Grilled Halloumi
A herb-forward tabbouleh built around bulgur, parsley, and spearmint, served with charred halloumi and a citrus-mint dressing.
Hierbabuena Brownies with Dark Chocolate Ganache
Fudgy dark chocolate brownies with brewed spearmint tea folded into the batter and a glossy ganache on top—mint and chocolate in their most grown-up form.
Drinks with this tea
Hierbabuena Digestive Tonic with Fennel
Fresh spearmint brewed with fennel seeds and a touch of lemon—a soothing after-meal tonic that calms bloating and refreshes the palate.
Iced Moroccan-Style Spearmint Tea
Iced spearmint brewed strong, sweetened generously, and poured over ice from height—the cooling, sugar-laced North African classic adapted for summer.
Hierbabuena Mojito
The classic Cuban mojito built properly with hierbabuena instead of generic mint—white rum, lime, brown sugar, soda, and the right mint for once.