Mint Tea

This recipe if from GAPSters

Using Dried Mint:

Harvest or purchase fresh mint. Lay the mint on a tray and put the tray in the oven with the oven light on. Let sit for 4-6 hours, or until the mint is crisp, but not fragile (in other words, doesn't fall to pieces when pinched but is dry and 'crisp').

Boil water.

Use 1 tsp dried mint per cup of water. For a quart of water, use 4 tsp dried mint and either add the mint and water to a quart jar and cap tightly OR add mint to a pot containing a quart of boiling water and cover tightly. Let steep about 3 minutes. Add honey if desired.

Using Fresh Mint:

Use a handful of the leaves and stalks to a cup of boiling water. Brew for about five minutes, and add honey if desired. Using fresh mint for tea making will add a distinct 'cooked greens' flavor to your tea.

If your tea tastes bitter, it was brewed too long or too much herb was used.

ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE MINT TEA:

MINT HONEY

Gather fresh mint and coarsely chop the leaves. Place the chopped mint leaves in a jar, filling the jar (if there is any empty space, the herb will oxidize). Then pour raw, local honey over the chopped, fresh herb. Use a chopstick or the like to poke and stir, essentially eliminating all air bubbles. Add honey until the jar is almost full. Label your MINT HONEY with name and date.

Leave your jar in a cool, dark place for 6 weeks, after which, it's ready to use. You'll find that the honey seems a little watery. This is because it's now infused with oils, liquids and all properties of the mint leaves.

Put a heaping tablespoonful, honey and herb, in 1 cup or more of boiling hot water. Stir and let it brew for a few minutes. While it's brewing, either cover your mug or inhale the invigorating mint steam! Strain and drink.

You'll find this way of preparation perfectly flavored with mint and nicely sweetened with honey. You can use more herb than honey, if you are using honey minimally. Or you can just stir in a little honey without the herb since the honey now has the medicinal qualities and flavor of the mint. Depending on your desired outcome, the amount of honey per the amount of water is flexible.

TIP: Mint tea and Mint Honey are wonderful when a cold is present. In the same way, make Thyme Honey and Sage Honey, which are excellent for sore throats.