Will any kind of mint work for fresh mint tea?

Yes, yes, yes! I have both spearmint and orange mint growing outside my kitchen door, but you can use anything from traditional peppermint to chocolate mint (yes, there is such a marvelous thing) - experiment to find your fave!

Where can I find fresh mint?

The produce section of your supermarket will most likely have it next to the other herbs, but if you are lucky enough to have a farmer's market nearby, you can buy a mint plant (or plants) and grow it either in an inside pot or outside. And places like Lowes and Home Depot will have mint (and other herbs) as well. Mint is very hardy and grows (and spreads) easily.

Why am I filling the teapot with hot water ahead of time and then emptying it out?

Letting the teapot sit filled with hot water will warm it up, which will keep your fresh mint tea warmer longer. (The Southern husband also does this with my tea mugs. Love him.)

Why am I rolling the leaves in my hands beforehand?

This is going to release the mint oil in the leaves to give your tea the most flavor, and is also going to make your hands smell like summertime.

Have a question that I didn't cover?

Drop it in the comments section below and I promise to answer pronto!

Fresh Mint Tea

Print Recipe

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4.8 from 4 reviews

Mint tea made with fresh mint and hot water, in your teacup in less than ten minutes! There’s nothing more comforting than a cup of fresh mint tea.

Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Beverage
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

4–5 stalks of fresh mint, with stems
4 cups boiling water
Sugar or honey, if desired

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Instructions

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
While water is boiling, fill a 4-6 cup teapot to the brim with hot water from the tap, and let it sit until the tea water boils.
When the tea water is boiling, empty the now-warm teapot. Give the mint leaves a quick rinse with cool water. Roll the mint between your palms until it is slightly crushed. Place in teapot.
Pour boiling water over the crushed mint, cover the teapot, and let it steep for 5 minutes.
Pour into your favorite teacup, inhale deeply, and enjoy!

Equipment We Used to Make This Recipe

Notes

Fresh mint: You can find this in the produce section of your grocery store – any variety from regular spearmint to chocolate mint (yes, this wondrous plant exists!) will work. In the spring and summer, your local garden store will also have various varieties.

Rolling the mint: You are rolling the mint between your hands in order to release the oils inside the leaves that are so delicious. Your tea will taste better and your hands will smell delicious!

Warming the teapot: Filling your teapot with warm water, dumping it out and then refilling it with the water you are going to use to make the tea will ensure that your tea stays warm for as long as possible.

Find it online: https://www.framedcooks.com/fresh-mint-tea/