Mint leaves carry that instantly recognisable cooling aroma and sharp, refreshing flavour that lifts almost any dish it touches, from a simple glass of water to a rich biryani. Good mint should smell fragrant as soon as the bunch is opened, a sign that the essential oils responsible for its flavour are still intact. In UAE kitchens, mint shows up everywhere: blended into chutneys with coriander and green chillies, torn over salads and raita, steeped into hot tea, or muddled into cooling mocktails and lemonade on warmer days. Beyond drinks and chutneys, mint pairs naturally with lamb and grilled meats, brightens up fruit salads, and adds a fresh note to yoghurt-based dips like tzatziki.

A few leaves crushed and added to plain rice or dal at the end of cooking can lift the whole dish without much effort. To keep a bunch fresh at home, avoid rinsing it until you're ready to use it, and instead store the stems upright in a glass of water in the fridge, loosely covered with a plastic bag, which keeps the leaves perky for well over a week. If any leaves look damp or blackened, sort through and discard those before they affect the rest.

Whenever your recipes call for a fresh bunch, you can explore our green leafy vegetables range on QuicKart, delivered quickly with free delivery across the UAE.