Mentha spicata var. crispa BERBER MINT

Moroccan Berber Mint Lamiaceae

If mint tea were an Olympic sport, this would be a serious contender for gold. ‘Berber Mint’ is a particularly fine form of spearmint, introduced from the Berber/Amazigh people of the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, where mint tea is an integral part of hospitality and daily life. Our stock was obtained directly from Berber growers in the Atlas Mountains and is distinguished by its exceptionally clean, sweet and aromatic flavour. We consider it one of the very best mints for tea.

The bright green, aromatic foliage is carried on spreading stems, with small spikes of white to pale lilac flowers appearing in summer. The leaves make an excellent infusion, particularly when combined with green tea in the traditional Moroccan manner. Regular picking encourages fresh, tender growth and keeps the plant looking lush.

Grow in full sun or partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil. As with most mints, it spreads vigorously by creeping rhizomes, so either give it room or contain it in a large pot.

Height: 50–70cm
Spread: 60–100cm
Flowering: July–September
Hardiness: H7, below -20°C
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Uses: Culinary mint; exceptional for mint tea
Provenance: Obtained from Berber/Amazigh growers in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco.

• Footnote: This is not the generic plant widely sold in the horticultural trade as ‘Moroccan Mint’. That name is applied rather loosely to a range of commercially propagated spearmint material, much of which is inferior in flavour and may be sold under mixed or interchangeable names. Our ‘Berber Mint’ is retained as a distinct strain because of its direct Atlas Mountain provenance and outstanding tea quality.