There’s just something different about mint tea. Mint has a longstanding role in humanity’s history, featuring heavily in medicinal practices all over the world, helping people treat everything from headaches to indigestion well before we had over-the-counter medicines.
These days, peppermint tea is less physically medicinal and more for the soul. One good sip can bolster you against any kind of day, but the key is knowing how to brew it perfectly. In this blog, we’ll break down the fresh mint tea recipe we use again and again at Chanui. It’s quick, easy, and there’s more than one way to enjoy the final brew. Whenever you’re ready, let’s dive in!
Why Mint Tea is a Must-Have in Your Daily Routine
There are plenty of fresh mint leaves tea benefits, whether you brew it up iced, hot, from a tea bag, or from loose leaf tea. For one thing, mint tea is naturally caffeine-free, which makes it perfect for winding down in the evening without the massive jolt of caffeine you might get from a cup of black tea. Mint tea is also renowned for aiding digestion, soothing an upset stomach or warding off bloating after a big meal. If you’re struggling with some bloating and you’re seeking a natural remedy, mint tea should be one of your first go-to remedies.
That’s not the end of mint tea’s health benefits. Every cup is packed with antioxidants, helping to combat the free radicals that age your cells, all while supporting your overall wellbeing. On top of all of these benefits, it also just so happens to be delicious! Refreshing and cooling, this is a great summer beverage on ice or the perfect answer to a cosy, caffeine-free cuppa on a rainy winter night.
How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Mint Tea
The key with a fresh mint tea recipe, especially when you’re brewing it hot, is to avoid overstepping the leaves. Dried or fresh mint releases something called tannins while brewing, lending any cup of mint tea a light touch of bitterness.
If you keep the leaves in the hot water for too long, that bitterness completely takes over and turns the whole thing undrinkable. In fact, so many people have tried an over-brewed cup of mint tea instead of a properly-brewed one, which is what convinces so many people that they don’t like this variety!
To head that off, let’s unpack two ways to brew your mint tea.
Fresh mint tea recipe:
For this recipe, you’ll need your favourite variety of mint tea, either loose leaf tea or tea bags. You’ll also need some hot water (not boiling). If you want a touch of sweetness or citrus to balance the tea’s natural bitterness, grab a spoonful of honey and a lemon slice to go into your cup once you’re done brewing.
From there, just follow the steps:
- Boil the kettle and let the water sit for a couple of minutes to come back from the edge of boiling. This stops the heat from the water scorching the tannins out of the tea leaves.
- Place a spoon of loose leaf tea or a teabag into your cup, pouring the hot water over them.
- Let this steep for between two to three minutes, keeping an eye on the colour. You want it to turn green, but not too green, as this can indicate it’s over-brewed. Two minutes is a good starting point if this is your first cup.
- Optionally, you can add some honey or a squeeze of lemon to boost the flavour and counter any bitterness.
Fresh mint iced tea recipe:
If summer is calling and you can’t condone the idea of drinking something warm, then this fresh mint tea recipe is for you. Iced mint tea is so refreshing, and the delicious tinge of mint is a great way to fight off the heat of summer. To get started, you’ll need your tea, a few cups of hot water, some ice, and a bit of patience.
From there, just follow these steps:
- Follow the same steps for hot mint tea, but we recommend preparing iced tea in batches so that you don’t have to keep doing this over and over. Feel free to quadruple the amount you usually use for a cup, brewing your tea in a large jug or teapot.
- Brew your tea hot, then strain the leaves out and let it stand on your counter to cool to room temperature. If you’re adding honey to your mix, this is the best time to do so.
- Transfer it to the fridge for a few hours to let it cool down completely.
- When you’re ready to serve, fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the chilled tea over it. You can also take this chance to add a dash of lemon or a fresh mint leaf to give your cup a boost of flavour.
As you can see, following a fresh mint tea recipe at home is simple, rewarding, and totally customisable. With the right approach, you can enjoy this brew year-round, no matter what the weather is doing outside. The most important thing to remember is to use high-quality tea leaves! Better leaves mean better tea, so it’s always worth hunting around to find the best variety for your refreshing cuppa.
There’s no mint tea like Chanui mint tea.
Looking to add this perfectly brewed fresh mint tea recipe to your daily rotation? Make sure you’re well-equipped with one of our peppermint tea varieties to keep you going. You can find us at your local supermarket in a little black box or browse through our tea shop online to grab your monthly supply.