Mint Tea

Ok, so technically, this is not mint tea. It is mint tisane. Purely technically speaking, tea is anything that has tea leaves in it (white, black, oolong, or green). When it is herbs steeped in hot water, it is tisane. Whatever. I am still calling this mint tea.

If you are starting to think about what herbs to plant for the spring, consider mint. With good water and a bit of afternoon shade, the stuff grows like a weed. Well, it grows more like a grass than a weed, sending out runners to start new mint plants. It can easily take over a space, especially in the spring and fall (it's not terribly fond of our hot summers). Mint is an essential herb for us to plant because of our love of mint tea (which I grew up calling meadow tea because the mint grew in the meadow at my grandparents' farm). Making this tea is simple.

Mint Tea
a handful (bunch) of mint leaves and stems, rinsed
a pot full of water (no more than a quart or so)
sugar to taste (about 1/4 - 1/3 c depending on how sweet you like your tea)
water for dilution

Bring pot of water to a boil. Remove from heat and allow water to cool slightly (just until it stops boiling basically). Throw in mint leaves and stems. Allow to steep for as long as you wish. I usually let mine steep a couple of hours in hopes of a stronger brew. Transfer to a pitcher and stir in sugar while tea is still warm (or at least lukewarm). Taste and dilute with water as necessary (we usually use equal parts water and mint tea). Serve cold.