Spearmint
Hierbabuena is Mexican spearmint, with a fresh, gently mentholated aroma. It is used in lime and mint agua fresca, sopa de lima, and fresh green salsas. It also flavours fish ceviche and basket tacos. It differs from peppermint in being softer and more floral, making it ideal for both drinks and savoury dishes.
Estimated retail price
~£0.89 / bunch
Typical price at UK Mexican grocers
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How it's used in Mexican cooking
Spearmint, part of the herbs section of the Mexican pantry, appears in 9 recipes in our collection, including Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce, Cucumber and Lime Agua Fresca and Mexican Meatball Soup. Each recipe shows step by step how it is added, in what quantity and which other ingredients it is paired with — the most reliable guide to how it is actually used in Mexican cooking.
Recipes with Spearmint
StewsMeatballs in Chipotle Sauce
DrinksCucumber and Lime Agua Fresca
Sopas Y CaldosMexican Meatball Soup
Sopas Y CaldosCaldo de Gato (Guerrero Beef Soup)
DrinksCucumber, Lime and Chia Agua Fresca
Street FoodKibis Yucatecos
EnchiladasZacatecas Ground Enchiladas with Potato
Sopas Y CaldosWild Greens Broth
FusionNopal Tabbouleh
Storage and substitutes
How to store it
Fresh herbs keep in the fridge wrapped in slightly damp kitchen paper inside a bag or container, and are best used within a few days. Dried versions (oregano, bay leaf, hibiscus flower) go in an airtight jar away from light and hold their aroma for months.
Substitutes
Epazote and hoja santa have very distinctive flavours with no exact substitute; if you can't find them, it's usually better to leave them out than to swap in another herb. Mexican oregano can be replaced with Mediterranean oregano, though its profile is more citrusy.
Frequently asked questions
How many recipes use Spearmint?
Spearmint is used in 9 recipes in our collection, such as Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce and Cucumber and Lime Agua Fresca. The full list, with a photo and link for each recipe, is on this page.
Where can I buy Spearmint in the UK?
You can buy Spearmint online via the Amazon link on this page, or look for it at Latin American grocers in the UK.
How should Spearmint be stored?
Fresh herbs keep in the fridge wrapped in slightly damp kitchen paper inside a bag or container, and are best used within a few days. Dried versions (oregano, bay leaf, hibiscus flower) go in an airtight jar away from light and hold their aroma for months.
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