Mint Eye (Jordan, Amman)

In Amman, in one of the city's oldest markets, fresh mint is spread out in a compact, almost hypnotic mass. It is not the mild variety found in the West, but often na'nā' (نعناع) mint , used in Jordanian black tea , salads such as tabbouleh , or even chewed on its own for its digestive properties.

Here, we don't always weigh to the gram: bouquets are sold by the handful, by touch , by relationship. The overflowing stalls are a sign of generosity as much as an appeal to the senses: the leaves shine , the stems still bead with moisture, and the scent catches long before the eye. The men don't pose, but embody the scene. The shopping time doesn't have the same intensity as in tourist areas: it stretches out, discusses, observes.