Mint is a refreshing herb that is enjoyed as a drink, and is an important herb in Nyonya cuisine. Mint tea is refreshing , and it is used to flavour summer drinks and cocktails. When made into ice cubes, it refreshes whatever drinks that it is put into.
I grow mint in my garden, actually by accident. One day I found a bunch of mint growing in my garden and I was wondering how it got there. Then I realised that I had bought a pot of mint from the supermarket, used it and dumped the roots ( after using all the leaves) and the soil in the garden, thinking that I was just putting soil into the garden. Little did I realise that it was the start of my mint growing journey. I now have many pots and about 2 varieties.
To make the mint last longer, I try to preserve it . In the video, I used the mint from my garden.
Spring is the time when mint starts to grow and by a few weeks it will be at its prime, with glorious leaves and fantastic aroma. If you leave it for too long, insects will attack it in summer. So it is better to harvest the mint early and trim it off. New shoots will emerge and these (smaller) shoots make fantastic sprigs for garnishing drinks, salads and desserts, too.
Here is what you need to preserve mint to make mint tea ( and for cooking, too).
Materials
- Mint from your garden or shop bought
Mint growing in the garden. - Strings
- Scissors
- Air tight jar or containers
Method
In fridge or freezer
- Rinse the mint leaves with water and shake dry.
- Remove the leaves and pat dry with paper towels and store in layers in a plastic container.
- This can keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 weeks.
- It will last longer if you freeze it.
Mint Tea Leaves
- Hang the mint leaves in bunches in a cool dark place.
Mint leaves hanging in a bunch to dry in the dark garage - When dry and crispy ( it takes about 3 to 4 weeks depending on the humidity), strip the leaves.
- Then crush it and store in an air- tight jar.
- Used as normal tea leaves to make tea.
- Or it can be use to garnish or flavour food.
Fresh mint tea
- Warm a tea pot, and add in some scrunched fresh mint.
- Pour boiling water over it.
- Close the pot and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Serve. And with a slice of lemon.
Mint ice-cubes
- Put sprigs of mint into the ice cube trays, add water and freeze.
- Once frozen use in place of normal ice cubes in your drinks and cocktails.
- It will add a refreshing taste to your drinks.
I hope you enjoy the video and making mint tea. Until the next time, don’t forget to like, share and subscribe to my channel. This will give me more motivation to make more videos.
Happy drinking mint tea!
Penang Lassie
