How to Make Mint Tea Tutorial

I've come down with a rotten cold and tea is the only thing that makes me feel better.  Interestingly enough, my mint plants have grown a little out of hand and are hogging all the sunshine from their neighbor plants.  Serendipity?  Follow along to make your own mint tea!  

1.  Pick your mint leaves.  I picked leaves from peppermint, chocolate mint, and sweet mint varieties.  I live in Florida and have a year round garden.  If you live in a cold climate, you can buy a mint plant or buy fresh mint in the refrigerated herb section at the grocery store.  
2.  Rinse leaves with cold water to get the dirt off of them.  I usually fill my bowl with water and swish the leaves around.  Then let the dirt settle to the bottom and the leaves will float to the top.  I skim the surface of the water to collect my clean leaves.

2.  Heat your oven to around 180-200 degrees F.  Arrange your clean leaves in a single layer on a cookie sheet.  I lined mine with parchment paper. Pop your leaves in the oven and let them dry for up to 2 hours.

3.  Take your leaves out of the oven and let them cool.  Store the leaves in an air-tight jar.  Don't crumble the leaves until you are ready to prepare your tea for maximum freshness!

4.  To prepare your tea, crumple your leaves into tiny pieces.  How much tea you use is a matter of preference.  If you're unsure-- use less!  I use about 1 tablespoon for every 6 ounces of water-- plus 1 or 2 fresh, bruised mint leaves.  (Roll the leaf in between your fingers to bruise them.)  Add boiling water to your tea leaves and steep for 3 minutes.  If you have a tea strainer, use it.  If not, steep your tea and pour over a regular strainer into a cup.

Handmade tea makes a beautiful gift!

xoxo,
Ashley

P.S. Here are a few tips on growing and harvesting peppermint!