Because the mint called Habek is still extensively cultivated in the Middle East, this species is presumed to be the mint of the New Testament.  But scholars don’t agree completely on this, since there were probably many mints then as there are today and you know, mint hybridizes freely so could produce lots of different offspring. I have Habek mint in my Bible garden. it’s a very savory sort of mint – not sweet tasting like spearmint.

• 3 cups boiling water
• 12 sprigs fresh mint
• 4 tea bags
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 5 cups cold water
• 3 orange slices for garnish (optional)
• 3 lemon slices for garnish (optional)

• Place the tea bags and mint sprigs into a large pitcher. Pour boiling water over them, and allow to steep for about 8 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags and mint leaves, squeezing out excess liquid. Stir in sugar until dissolved, then stir in the orange juice and lemon juice. Pour in the cold water. Serve over ice cubes, garnished with orange or lemon slices.

• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 5 mint leaves – try Mojito mint!
• ice cubes
• 2 ounces white rum
• 4 ounces soda water
• 1 lime wedge
• Instructions
• Muddle the lime juice, sugar, and mint leaves together in the bottom of a cocktail glass until the mint has broken down a bit, about 1 minute. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Add the rum and soda water over the ice. Pour the mixture back and forth from from the glass to another glass to mix. Garnish with the lime wedge and enjoy.