While in Amsterdam I noticed that in our hotel beside the coffee and tea there was a glass full of mint. At that time in the morning I thought nothing of it, and filled my coffee cup. (I don’t often do a lot of thinking before my morning coffee).
But then on our last day we stopped in a cafe for one last coffee before heading to the airport. On the drinks menu was Fresh Mint Tea.
It seems quite common in the Netherlands, and I needed to try it having previously only had mint tea from a teabag. My favourite is Three Mint Tea from Pukka.
It came served with a small sliver of ginger cake and a sachet of honey. Personally I didn’t think it needed the honey.
Of course I wanted to recreate this as soon as I got home.
The mint I have on my kitchen windowsill is a different variety from that of the tea we drank in Amsterdam but it seemed to work just as well.
Pro tip: If you cut mint earlier than you need it, keep the stalks submerged in water, it keeps the leaves perky.
Using fresh mint you won’t get as strong a minty flavour as say with a mint teabag, well certainly not with the amount of mint I could reasonably fit in my glass. But it’s fresh, tasty, calming drink which smells delightful.
To make mint tea grab a couple of stalks, the taste will largely depend on the thickness and number of leaves, my mint plant has long and spindly stalks so I used 3 or 4, if yours is stalkier with more leaves (like the Mint I saw used in the Netherlands) then one will probably do.
Submerge the stalks in hot water and leave to steep for at least 5 minutes. Sweetening with honey if you need it. It could be that at this point you can remove the stalks and drink it – I don’t, I like drinking it slowly so more and more flavour can be released as I drink.
I grow mint in a pot in the windowsill, which is pretty prolific, but without killing it I could only have one fresh mint tea every two weeks! This is not enough for my latest habit, so I am intending to step up my game with growing lots of different varieties in my garden.
Any tips for growing mint? What other herbs make great teas? Comments welcome.
Welcome to CoffeeMuffins! A blog that started out about two of my favourite (unhealthy) things has become rather more balanced, and I try to post just as many healthy meals as cakes.
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I like you Lauren google recipes on line – get a thought in my head and depending on if I want a quick recipe or not google for the best ways of cooking it. Must try your coffee muffins by the way my daughter and I love anything to do with coffee!!
Was searching for a beef bourguignon recipe and stumbled across your site and with having a slow cooker think I will give this a try over the weekend (will add the brandy etc.. as like to cook with spirits from time to time – did so in my early years of marriage which is still going strong coming 24yrs – had to think there!)
Will let you know how it turns out – if my plans still forge ahead and nothing untowards changes that. Also must share my guinness stew recipe with you which can also be cooked in the slow cooker quite similar to Beef Bourguignon – strange that different cultures can seem so similar.
Keep up the good cooking.
Bernie
Hey, I got enticed by all your Superb recipes and here you get another feather in your hat ! I cant wait to try my hands on it. It is looking so good with all the lovely pictures and write up as well. I have been here after a while but enjoyed scrolling through your rest of the wonderful recipes. Have a wonderful week ahead. Enjoy. Thanks for sharing recipes. Best Regards, Sonia !!!
The mint used in the Netherlands must have been the
Moroccan mint, which is also very popular in coffee shops here in Germany (Nana Mintze). I love it and have also tried making the Touareg version, in which the mint is submerged in strong Chinese green gunpowder tea.
Hello, I grow lots of mint. Grow it in a pot in the garden because it is invasive. The more you cut it the bushier it finally becomes. I have some growing in the borders but it spikes up in the lawn and gets mowed. There are lots of varieties out there so grow a selection. Although they smell wonderful they do not all taste the same. Find one you like…. Regards