How to Make Homemade Mint Tea

While in the first trimester of pregnancy, I am craving things that are fresh, like fruit and mint!

I love mint in general and have an abundance of it growing in my herb garden, it smells great, but I never really know how to take it from plant to practical use.

There are several uses for mint around the house, keep a few springs in your fridge or freezer to freshen things up. If you’re not pregnant, summer is a great time to make mint juleps!

But one of my favorite uses for mint is making mint tea:

For this you will need:

• A way to dry the mint leaves (you may also use fresh mint leaves)
• A tea infusor
• Teapot

To dry the leaves:
Dry the mint in the oven by warming the oven for 20 minutes at 140 to 200 Fahrenheit. Put the herbs on a cookie tray or baking sheet and turn the oven to the warm setting for 20 to 30 minutes or until dry.

Or…

• Use a dehydrator
• Hang the mint in a dry, dark and warm area. Make sure that the herbs are dry and clean before you hang the mint tied together in a paper bag. Hang for two to three weeks until dry.

To store the Mint:
Store the mint whole in glass jars and cut as needed.

To make Mint Tea:

1. Cut a rounded teaspoon of dried mint leaves into an infuser or strainer.
2. Put the infuser into a teapot. Pour 2 to 3 cups of boiling water into the teapot.
3. Steep the mint for 3 to 4 minutes and then take the strainer out.
4. Discard the leaves.
5. Let it cool and drink.

To use fresh Mint in tea: