Ingredients
Fresh Tea Ingredients
- 10–12 fresh mint leaves (or 2 tablespoons dried mint)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2–3 thin slices of fresh lemon
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar (optional, to taste)
Dried Mint Preparation
- Fresh mint leaves (quantity as desired for drying)
- Clean kitchen towel for drying
- Glass jar for storing dried mint leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the mint leaves: Place 10–12 fresh mint leaves or 2 tablespoons of dried mint leaves into a teapot.
- Pour boiling water: Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the mint leaves in the teapot, making sure the leaves are fully covered.
- Steep the tea: Cover the teapot and allow the mint leaves to steep for 5–10 minutes, adjusting steep time according to your desired tea strength.
- Add lemon slices: Place 1–2 thin slices of fresh lemon into each cup before pouring the hot mint tea over the slices.
- Sweeten if desired: Add 1 teaspoon of honey or sugar to each cup, adjusting sweetness to taste, and stir well.
- Dry mint leaves for future use: Pick fresh mint leaves off the stems, discard any damaged leaves, and wash thoroughly. Rinse using a strainer.
- Air dry the leaves: Spread the washed mint leaves in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel and leave them on the counter to air-dry for 4–5 days until they feel dry and crumbly.
- Store dried mint: Transfer the fully dried mint leaves to a glass jar and store in a cool, dry pantry away from heat and sunlight for future use.
Notes
- Adjust steeping time based on how strong you prefer your mint flavor.
- Use honey for natural sweetness or sugar if preferred.
- Fresh lemon slices add a nice tangy aroma and flavor; feel free to add more or less.
- Dried mint leaves can be used as a substitute when fresh mint is unavailable.
- Air-drying mint at room temperature preserves its flavor well without the need for dehydrators.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
