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The Cool, Refreshing History of Mint

JL;DR SUMMARY Mint, with its deep historical roots, has been a beloved herb across various cultures, including Jewish ones since biblical times. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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TalmudJewish HistoryHealth BenefitsMiddle Eastern CuisineAncient EgyptMintAncient GreeceCulinary HerbsNatural Remedies

Places mentioned

Israel
"Mint grew wild in the land of Israel in biblical times, when Jewish priests used to pay tithes with it."
Egypt
"Thought to originate in North Africa, mint was well known by 1500 BCE to the Egyptians, who used it to treat stomach ailments and to sweeten their breath."
Greece
"Mint was highly prized by the ancient Greeks, who liked to use it in cooking, to make perfumes, to freshen the air, and in funeral rites, as it helped dissipate the smell of the dead."
Cochin, Kerala, India
"Jews from Cochin, India, like to add fresh mint to chicken fried in coconut oil with onions, carrots, garlic, chiles, fresh ginger, and turmeric."
Rome, Italy
"Carciofi alla romanaartichoke hearts simmered in olive oil with mint, garlic, and white wineis a favorite dish of Roman Jews."
Syria
"Syrian Jews like to cool down in summertime with schraab bnaanna, a refreshing milkshake made with fresh mint, galia melon, milk, yogurt , and ice cubes."

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Retrieved 2025-07-30 05:37:32 UTC
Curated 2025-07-30 19:02:31 UTC