I’m always surprised, and slightly amused, when I make fresh mint tea at a dinner party or for friends, and they act like it is the most novel and amazing thing in the world!
It made me contemplate that there are so many things that we have accepted, just because we are used to them. Like mint tea for instance. If you want an herbal mint tea and you go to Starbucks, you’ll pay $2.50+ for a tea bag made from tea fillers and tea dust, and hot water- which who even knows is filtered or not. Besides not getting the freshest flavor, each time we get a tea we also have to throw out a tea bag, and the individual packet that the tea bag came in.
It doesn’t have to be that way! If we make our own tea, we can experience the freshest possible taste of that tea on earth, AND we will not be consuming excess packaging.
Something as incredibly simple as making mint tea can be a great first step to someone being more in touch with making their own food. This is especially true for some of you that write me that you really “aren’t a chef” and that you are uncomfortable making your own food. The very sourcing of the green, beautiful mint, and the ceremony of making this tea, could help connect you back to your food source. And then we can move on to making our own almond milk, raw sauerkraut, salad dressing, flax crackers, etc.- things we are always used to buying- but things we could make fresh and natural ourselves. :)
1. Make sure to pick mint that is robust and a beautiful green color. You can buy mint at your local farmer’s market (highly recommended!), at Wholefoods or most grocery stores.
2. Simply pick 4-6 leaves off of the stem and place in your mug.
3. Pour hot (not boiling), filtered water on top of the leaves, and let them steep for 3 minutes or so before drinking.
4. If you like sweet mint tea, Egyptian style, stevia would be your best bet!
Ta daaaa!!! That is it!! Try it out, and see how much more special your mint tea drinking experience becomes! Especially now that it is snuggly tea weather. :) Make fresh mint tea for your friends and family, or serve after a dinner party with some good desserts!
Happy tea making!
xx Kimberly
