In his ninth-century poem Ya Sa’eli, Ibn Al Rumi describes some of his favourite foods and how he likes to enjoy them. The poet writes about taking the meat of chicken or beef, topping it with cheese and olives, and making it more flavourful with mint and tarragon.
The poem, while describing a delicious meal, is also evidence that people in the Arab world have long used condiments, such as mint, to flavour their food. Ne’ena’a is the Arabic word for mint, and it is quite a fun word to say, if you can pronounce the ain sound. The word is broadly the same across the Arab world, with some variations including na’ana’a in the levant.
The word ne'ena'a comes from the old Arabic word ne'ena'ah which was used to describe fragrant green plants. Over the years, ne'ena'a has become firmly associated with mint.
Mint, or mentha, are aromatic leaves that give off a pleasant and fresh smell. The English word comes from the Greek mythical creature Menthe. Its scent has been closely associated with cleanliness and freshness, whether used in soaps, toothpaste or chewing gum. It is also added to cheese and vegetable sandwiches for a slight kick. Lemon and mint juice is very popular in the region and is often consumed with meals for its digestive properties. The drink was referenced in Tahira Yaqoob's 2019 Mogford Prize-shortlisted story, Cafe Beirut.
One of the most prominent uses of ne’ena’a in the Arab world is dropping its leaves into tea to make it burst with flavour. Whether in Morocco, Syria or Iran, mint in tea is a staple of cafes and restaurants. The extracted essential oils from mint, as well as menthol, are used to clear nasal congestion or perfume a room.
In English cuisine, mint sauce has been served alongside lamb dishes since before the 18th century. Mint can also be found in deserts, mixed with chocolate for a rich flavour profile. A popular ice cream flavour around the world is mint chocolate chip, which was invented in 1973 by culinary student Marilyn Ricketts in Devon, England.
According to the Museum of Civil Ward Medicine, mint has been used for more than 3,500 years in many different ways. It was, for example, used to treat ailments such as gastritis, nausea, flatulence and to cover the taste of unpleasant medicines.
In the ancient Egyptian Ebers Papyrus – it dates to 1550BC and is one of the oldest surviving medical texts in the world – mint is cited as a digestive tool. English physician Tobias Venner wrote in 1620 that the excellent fragrant smell of both red garden mint and spearmint “doth greatly comfort the braine and spirits, stirre up the senses, especially the memorie, and make the heart cheerefull [sic]”.
In Spanish, the term for mint is hierba bueno, which translates to the good herb. Even though it is grown across North Africa, Australia and South America, the United States of America produces more than 70 per cent of the world's supply of peppermint and spearmint.
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The National in Davos
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Fixtures
Sunday, December 8, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v USA
Monday, December 9, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – USA v Scotland
Wednesday, December 11, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v Scotland
Thursday, December 12, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v USA
Saturday, December 14, ICC Academy, Dubai – USA v Scotland
Sunday, December 15, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v Scotland
Note: All matches start at 10am, admission is free
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
