LOOSE PEPPERMINT TEA: INTRO
Skip Ahead To:
We like to describe the peppermint as the “favorite child” of the mint family! A hybrid formation of spear and water mint, the peppermint is known for its cool and refreshing feel and taste, particularly when brewed into a loose peppermint tea!
Peppermint is found mostly in Europe and Asia and has tremendous versatility! It can be used in making chewing gum, soaps as well as cosmetics. It is also widely cited as a relief and/or cure for many digestive issues and allergies! Our favorite use of peppermint, however, is in a delicious cup of peppermint tea! Want to find out how to make some for yourself?
Loose Peppermint Tea: An Overview
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. An affiliate link means that we may earn advertising/referral fees if you make a purchase through our links.
As you might have guessed, the peppermint is the main ingredient used when preparing a loose peppermint tea. If you are looking to buy loose peppermint tea, then this article is for you!
We’ll help you to understand the basics of the loose peppermint tea. We’ll also provide you with a very tasty and easy to follow recipe that can help you prepare a delicious loose peppermint tea as early as today! We have included helpful information on the important features you need to find when evaluating which type of loose peppermint tea you want to work with – after all, there are many different brands on the market and you’ll want to work with the best!
Speaking of nest, we also suggest some really good brands which can save you from the problem of conducting further research on your own. By no means are the they ONLY great brands out there, but we do have personal experience with them and feel comfortable suggesting them to our readers. We detail some of that personal experience (as well as “pros” and “cons” in this post as well). I’m ready for the journey if you are! Here we go!!!
Pro Tip: You’ll be happy to know that this herbal tea is relatively free from side effects (some popular herbal teas, like hibiscus tea do have side effects).
Loose Peppermint Tea: Learning the Basics
Please Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Peppermint is one of the most versatile food products that you’ll come across in a lifetime. Did you know that peppermint is widely claimed to reduce clogged sinuses as well as migraines? There are many accounts, and personal experiences, of consumption of peppermint products resulting in feelings of high energy and strength. Quite remarkable!
Peppermint oil (which is also a product of the peppermint plant) can be used to reduce bouts of sleepiness during the day. The oil comes from the leaves of the peppermint plant as the leaves are sliced and diced into more manageable sizes! Working with the leaves is similar to working with dandelion roots in that both are in their “raw” form until turned into herbal tea.
The peppermint plant can be grown nearly anywhere around the world. However, they tend to grow better in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon or Washington) due to the favorite growing climate.
The benefits that the peppermint tea offers, as well as its wide availability (as opposed to a tea like dandelion tea, though we do know where to buy dandelion tea) and tremendous versatility, have led to a soar in its popularity levels. It is without a doubt one of the most popular herbal teas of the new decade. One of the most popular ways to consume it, at least at the moment, is by starting from scratch and creating a loose peppermint tea. By the way, the term “loose peppermint” just means that the chopped leaves are not already placed into teabags.
Sound interesting? Want to follow the crowd and make this popular concoction for yourself? Fortunately, we have just the perfect recipe for you! Don’t worry, this one does not require a ton of ingredients and we’ve ensured that it is very easy to follow!
Loose Peppermint Tea: A Simple Recipe
Preparing loose peppermint tea and standard peppermint tea are very similar in terms of process. The difference is in the form the peppermint takes.
To make this easier to grasp, we’ll break it down into the ingredients needed and the right amount to use. Then, we’ll provide steps you can follow to make the perfect loose peppermint tea.
List of Ingredients:
- Peppermint leaves (1 handful or bag depending on the product)
- Hot water
- Sweeteners such as sugar (Optional, we like to use honey)
What You Will Need:
- Teacup and spoon
- A kettle
- Infuser (Never heard of it, you can learn more here)
Easy-to-Follow Instructions
Step One. The first step will be preparing the peppermint leaves. If you are using a tea product, you’ll want to follow the instructions on the product.
Now, if you are using fresh leaves, you need to cut those leaves. Cutting the leaves releases the aroma and oil that you need! For loose peppermint tea, you might need to use an infuser to keep your leaves in check. The smaller you cut them, the more aroma and oil released!
To achieve this step, you can use a spoon or mortar to extract the oil once the peppermint leaves have been ground. Some HTH readers use a mortar and pestle, which is very effective as well.
Step Two. It’s time to brew your tea. Remember that when dealing with herbal tea, brewing with hot water is more effective. However, you need more than just hot water, you need to bring it to a boil!
So let your boiling water cool to a manageable temperature before you use it. Also, you need to wear safety gloves and other protective clothing when dealing with boiling and otherwise very hot water. Now, carefully pour the hot water into a cup. Then pour your leaves into the cup.
Step Three. Allowing your tea to steep is the next step. The time length will depend on the peppermint leaves that you use. Fresh leaves will usually require steeping for longer periods. Steeping time for fresh leaves should be within 8-10 minutes. The longer you allow for steeping, the more “minty” the taste is going to be!
If you are using dry leaves, then 5 minutes is a typically duration. There isn’t a particular “wrong” amount of time for steeping, but these guidelines should give you an idea!
Step Four. To get the best flavor and strength of the tea, make sure the cup is covered while steeping. This helps the water maintain a more even temperature during the steeping process. Have a taste every once in a while to make sure you are on the right track – but don’t burn your tongue!
Step Five. Once the steeping time is over, you can then add your sweeteners. Remember, we like honey, but you can also use sugar. Your tea is ready to be served and you should feel free to add other fruits to the mix to create a fun new concoction (we suggest apple, orange and mango)!
Once you master this recipe, you should try your hands on other types of peppermint tea. For example, another type of fruit-infused peppermint tea is perfect for summer time. Many HTH readers have reported having success with blends of figs, pears, and we’ve even heard of a pineapple mix! Pretty wacky!
The good part about learning the recipes is the similarity. Most loose leaf peppermint tea will have a lot of similarities. Usually, only one or two steps will differ. Once you get it down, just tweak and repeat – thats the HTH motto! This makes the learning process so much easier, plus you can teach others!! Oh, and if you like this simple recipe, we also have a similar anise seed tea recipe, here! We also have a dandelion leaf tea recipe that will blow you away!
Learning the recipe of the loose peppermint tea is a great way to start your journey. But what do you need to find in a loose peppermint tea to ensure that your product, and most importantly taste, will be truly top notch? The next is learning how to make a great peppermint tea purchase!!! Take a look at some of the important features to focus on!
What Features to Find in Loose Peppermint Tea
Now that you know that you want to experiment with loose peppermint tea, how do you find a good offering? A number of factors influence the taste and quality of peppermint tea. Having a good grasp of these factors often helps you make the right buy. Let’s have a look at some of them, in no particular order:
Variety
Variety is fun and exciting – after all, its the spice of life, as they say! It’s also a key factor to consider when evaluating loose peppermint tea. For example, how many flavors does the tea come in? Can you serve it hot, iced or perhaps sweetened? Are the flavors exotic, or do many manufacturers offer the same general flavor?
The presence of variety gives you more value for your money. You’d also have multiple options at your disposal. Most importantly, it allows you to try a number of peppermint teas while you hone in on your favorite!
Organic Farms and Regulations
Organic farms are the best source of herbal plants. They keep the plants pure and free from additives – always best to let Mother Nature do the “cooking” for you! To get the best out of the product, look for products that are grown in organic farms. We’ve found that the Northwest Pacific region of the United States (including the states of Washington and Oregon) is host to a number of these type of growing operations. They put out great product!
Most organic farms have to be approved by several regulatory bodies. It’s also a nice bonus if the product is certified. These bodies don’t just hand out their seal of approvals either – the evaluation process can be quite rigorous!
Manufacturer’s Reputation
Experience brings a measure of assurance to the table. Buying your loose peppermint tea from manufacturers with a good reputation should be considered.
Usually, a look at the reviews of such manufacturers will give you an idea of what to expect, but don’t stop there – you’ll want to do your own independent research as well.
The popularity of their products is also something worth considering. You might also want to look at how long they have been in the tea business. Is “tea” their only business, or do they offer other kinds of food and beverage as well?
Knowing these factors will be of immense help when you are trying to get a feel for the manufacturer of interest. If you’re still a bit confused, the products of the two manufacturers discussed in the next section will offer some needed insight. Again, they are not the ONLY great loose peppermint tea offerings on the market, but we have personal experience with them and feel comfortable suggesting them to our readers!
Loose Peppermint Tea: Buy the Best
Take a look at the following two offerings for an example of high quality, great tasting, loose peppermint tea.
This offering is a favorite for its strong, rich flavor and diversity. It comes in an 8-ounce pouch that holds the loose leaves. The pouch is resealable (you’d be amazed how many companies do not offer this feature). This ensures that freshness is preserved for a long time, just in case you don’t consume your tea as rapidly as we do!
This makes it ideal to use with an infuser (we linked to an informational page above), strainer or a french press. As earlier mentioned, the diversity of the loose peppermint tea allows you to serve this particular offering hot, iced, with sweeteners (again, try honey) or just a plain old fashioned non-additive mint tea!
You’ll find approvals from applicable health regulatory bodies. It is kosher certified and non-GMO verified – two great accreditations in terms of manufacturer reputation and quality.
In fact, these manufacturers have been around since 1972 (I won’t give you my age, but that’s older than me)! During this time, they have produced several products that have excelled down the years. You don’t stay in the market for nearly 50 years by serving an inferior product!
My Experience
My first impression was that it had a strong menthol taste. I found this refreshing and especially liked the way it felt afterward in my mouth. It was kind of like having freshly brushed teeth, without the chemically feel.
The best time to consume this peppermint tea is in the morning just before work and late in the evenings. It has good versatility – instead of being a tea designated for mornings-only or evenings-only. I also liked the various flavors – remember, variety is the spice of life! I tried the iced peppermint tea and it was really nice!
Here are some of pros and cons from own experience with these guys. I have been consuming their product for a little over a year now – so hopefully this helps you develop some understanding from my first hand account:
Pros
- Non-GMO verified
- Refreshing taste
- Resealable bags (a big bonus)
- Well-known manufacturers
- Variety
Cons
- Small quantity (hey – I’m a heavy consumer)
Right out of the gate, you can tell that this one was made by manufacturers who are very responsible in terms of their farming practices, for that reason, and the others I mention below, this loose peppermint leaf is impressive!
I want to reiterate the versatility of use here. This offering can be used for purposes OTHER than just brewing a killer cup of peppermint tea. For example, you can add it to your soap for a minty refreshing feel. How is that for creativity?!
As we suggested in the “Important Features” section, these organic farms are located in the Northwest Pacific, an area known for the production of quality product. This reinforces its high quality. This one also has impressive approvals from various and applicable regulatory bodies.
Kosher, non-GMO verified are just some of the requirements that it meets. To top things off, their manufacturers are well-known for their eco-friendliness. We are always impressed when a manufacturer makes an impressive product and does so without harming Mother Earth.
It comes in a one pound bag with the loose leaves packed up together. We suggest that you find a way of preserving the freshness of the tea (like by using a vacuum sealer, for instance). One other way to preserve freshness? Use the tea before it goes bad!!
My Experience
Using this product to prepare the peppermint tea resulted in a fantastic taste. The fresh minty taste it comes with plus the aroma can be really refreshing. Probably more so than taste, I was impressed by the aroma.
It’s also good for the body – or, at least, I felt pretty good after drinking it! I found myself feeling relaxed and free from my usual headaches (which sometimes feel like migraines). Of course, there are minor issues with this product, as there are with every type of tea. However, overall, I’d definitely recommend it.
Here are some pros and cons you should watch out for;
Pros
- Ethically sourced
- Minty taste
- Non-GMO verified
- USDA organic
- Large quantity (can also be a con)
- Kosher certified
- Well-known manufacturer
Cons
- It doesn’t come in resealable bags.
CONCLUSION
It’s been quite the journey! Do you feel like you’ve learned everything that these is to know about loose peppermint tea? We are hope so – as we’ve covered darn near everything, and it great detail! We hope that this article helps you prepare and choose the best loose peppermint tea – it really is a staple of any serious tea drinkers diet! While there are many choices, only a few will meet the high standards be set for our HTH community. We’re confident that you’ll make the right choice – especially now that you are a seasoned and knowledgeable consumer!
Comments
Have you ever consumed peppermint tea? Was it from a teabag or did you work with loose peppermint tea? How do you think it stacks up against other popular kinds of herbal tea? Did you try our recipe? What did you think of the result? Do you have any recipes for your own creations that you’d like to share with this herbal tea community? Please share your story with us by posting in the comments below. We promise to read and reply to every comment as we truly love engaging with the herbal tea community!