Green Tea with Fresh Mint

Introduction

You get a strong mint infusion here, with the tea rinsed first to remove its sour edge and the pot brought back to a boil with sugar cubes and fresh mint leaves. It works as a hot drink for after a meal or an afternoon pot, and it only takes a few basic ingredients.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tsp of dried green tea (optional)
• 1 bunch of fresh mint leaves
• 10 sugar cubes (optional)
• Water

Instructions

1. Boil water in a saucepan.
2. Put 2 tsp of dried green tea in the teapot.
3. Pour half a glass of boiling water into the teapot, stir and then empty the water to rinse the tea and get rid of its sour aftertaste.
4. Fill the teapot with boiling water and then add the fresh mint leaves, which should have been rinsed carefully beforehand.
5. Add the sugar cubes to the teapot then leave it on low to medium heat for a few minutes.
6. The tea is ready when the water comes to a boil.

Variations

• Skip the 2 tsp of dried green tea for a straight mint infusion. You get a cleaner, lighter drink with no tannic edge.
• Reduce the 10 sugar cubes or leave them out entirely if you want a less sweet tea. The mint flavor will come through more sharply.
• Replace the sugar cubes with honey stirred in after brewing. That gives the tea a rounder sweetness and a slightly fuller body.
• Bruise some of the fresh mint leaves before adding them to the teapot. That pulls out more mint oil and gives you a stronger herbal flavor.
• Chill the finished tea and serve it cold. The sweetness reads lower when cold, so you may want the full sugar amount if you plan to ice it.

Tips for Success

• Keep the pot on low to medium heat as directed. A hard boil can make green tea taste harsh.
• Pull the tea once the water comes to a boil. Letting it sit too long over heat can dull the mint and overextract the tea.
• If you want a stronger mint flavor, pack the 1 bunch of fresh mint leaves in firmly rather than loosely.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover tea in a covered glass jar or pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days. It is best fresh, but it holds reasonably well if you strain out the mint leaves before storing.

FAQ

Can you make this without the green tea?

Yes. The green tea is optional, so you can make it as a pure fresh mint tea with a lighter, cleaner flavor.

Why do you rinse the green tea first?

That quick rinse removes some bitterness and the sour aftertaste mentioned in the method. It gives you a smoother final pot.

Can you use less sugar?

Yes. You can cut back the sugar cubes or leave them out if you want the mint and tea flavors to stand out more.

Can you make it ahead?

Yes, but it is strongest and freshest shortly after brewing. If you make it ahead, chill it once cooled and reheat only what you plan to drink.