I have been enjoying a steaming pot of mint tea this morning. It smells so good, tastes better than any that I have ever purchased, and came right from my little garden box in the back yard. There’s something about growing my own herbs that adds a little bit of extra “ahhh” to relaxing with a fresh mug of mint tea!
You can grow your own too, and save money in the process. It’s very easy and takes very little time. Mint is a perennial and will come up year after year on its own with little to no maintenance on your part. I planted my mint last year and was able to pick a few sprigs within a month. I started mine from a plant that I bought at the garden store and all I needed to do was dig a hole, put the plant in, water it once in awhile, and enjoy the harvest. During the winter months I did buy some tea and the price can be a little high if you use very many tea bags. You can spend less than $5.00 on a mint plant (or seeds are even cheaper, but take longer to grow) and literally have enough tea to never buy any again.
The great thing about fresh mint is that it is very hardy. It loves full sun, survives in colder temperatures, grows quickly and resists the plant diseases that are common in gardens. I am loving that I can literally walk out to my garden and have my own tea within minutes. I also dry the mint in a dehydrator to savor over the winter months. You can dry it without a dehydrator by tying it in bunches and hanging it upside down or simply laying it out on the counter for a day. I store mine in glass jars. It does taste the best fresh, though.
To get your own cup of tea from your mint plant , just snip off a few mint leaves from the plant. I use about 5 sprigs that are 4″ or so long for a pot of tea. A single cup usually only needs 1 or 2 sprigs.
Rinse it under cold water and remove any bits that don’t look fresh and green. Place the mint in your mug, about 1/3 full or to your individual taste.
Fill the mug with boiling water and let it steep for about 5 -10 minutes. Remove the tea leaves with a spoon. This is easier if you don’t detach the leaves from the stems. You just pull out the stem and it all comes with it.
That’s all there is to it! I add some stevia to my tea to make it a little sweet, but that is subject to individual preferences as well. Put your feet up, grab a book, and enjoy!
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