Recipe for fresh mint tea

Fresh mint

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There are many great options out there with mint tea, whether bagged or loose leaf, but what about making fresh mint tea yourself, at home, using leaves straight from the garden (or grocery store)? 

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow.  It returns every summer with bells on, filling the air with its pacifying aroma, and expanding to every inch of open earth.  To make your own mint tea, pick the fresh leaves, or buy a bundle from one of DC's local farmer's markets, or you can always get mint at Whole Food's. 

Use one handful of fresh mint for every cup of water.  You can make just enough for yourself, or make a whole batch of mint iced tea to keep in the refrigerator.  Put the mint in a glass tea pot if you have one; if not, a metal one will work.  Pour boiling water over the leaves (don't boil the leaves with the water), cover, and let steep for four to six minutes and then strain out the mint.  Voila, you have fresh mint tea. 

To make iced mint tea, let the hot mint infusion cool to about room temperature.  Add sugar or honey while still warm if you want sweet mint tea.  Then, pour the tea into a pitcher full of ice, and store in the fridge.  Drink within three days for optimal freshness. 

Because it already has a refreshing, sweet flavor, mint tea works well on its own, but is delicious sweetened with honey.  Try adding a little cream or soymilk as well.  For another twist, add two or three cardamon pods to the mint leaves before brewing, diced licorice or ginger root, a piece of vanilla bean, and/or anise seed to make a mint chai tea.