This nettle and mint tea is a lovely refreshing herbal blend. The nettles provide a grassy goodness, rich in vitamins and minerals. And the mint has an uplifting flavour to brighten your day.
Why make your own nettle and mint tea?
Granted, there's plenty of herbal blends of tea on the market. But making your own with fresh leaves is so much nicer!
- The flavour is much better, and there's no dustiness in the bottom of the tea
- More of the vitamins and minerals are available
- There's no packaging:) And assuming you've got nettle and mint nearby, there's very few food miles too!
- If you are lucky enough to pick the leaves from your garden or the local countryside, it's free:)
Nettle and mint tea is also caffeine free, so you can enjoy it at any time of the day.
Ingredients
Fresh stinging nettle leaves. You may well have a good supply of these in the garden. I certainly do. And eating (or drinking) them is one of the most rewarding ways to deal with them. (See here for a nettle soup and nettle pesto recipes if you're looking for other ways to use them up.) It's best to use the fresh young green leaves at the tip of the stem, and harvest the nettles before they flower.
If you are picking nettles from the wild, do make sure you are away from busy traffic areas and dog walk routes. Despite their downsides, both as an aggravating weed, and as a stinging plant, nettles are really nutritious. They have been used in herbal medicines for many centuries. And once they touch the boiling water, they'll no longer sting:)
Nettles are rich in vitamins A,C, K, and several B vitamins. They are also a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. And like most greens, they are rich in a number of antioxidants and polyphenols.
Fresh mint leaves. There are many different types of mint, and you can use whichever you prefer for this recipe. Peppermint will give a stronger flavour, with a distinctive cooling taste. Spearmint is milder and sweeter, with a lower level of menthol. Like nettles, mint is a traditional herbal remedy, and a good source of antioxidants.
Recipe tips
Prepare the herbs by removing any large woody stems, and give the leaves a rinse. Remember to use gloves when handling the nettle leaves.
Add the leaves to a pot or heat resistant jug. Pour over 500ml just boiled water, and leave to steep for 10 minutes.
Strain and serve.
You could also serve iced nettle and mint tea. Chill and serve over ice.
FAQs
It is recommended that if you're pregnant, you should avoid nettle tea as some herbs can bring on contractions. There's been little research done on the effects on herbs on children, so it's best not to give this to children under 12. If you have any doubts whether you should drink nettle tea, speak to a health professional.
Yes, it's quite safe to drink nettle tea everyday, provided that it is not specifically contraindicated as above.
I like to drink this tea in the morning, as I find it refreshing and uplifting. But you can drink it at any time of the day. There's no caffeine in this tea, so it shouldn't keep you awake.
Other healthy drink recipes
Nettle and Mint Tea
Equipment
- teapot or heat resistant jug
- gloves for preparing nettles
Ingredients
- 3-4 nettle leaves picked from the tip of the plant
- 3-4 mint leaves any variety
- 500 ml just boiled water
Instructions
- Rinse the nettle and mint leaves and remove thick stems. Wear protective gloves when handling the nettle.
- Place the leaves in a teapot or heat resistant jug. Pour over the just boiled water and leave to steep for 10 minutes. Strain and serve.
Jen
Very refreshing, a lovely cuppa.
Wendy
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you.