Mint for tea

[Jayb]

Just wondering what's the best variety of mint to grow for fresh mint tea? 
I've got the ordinary garden sort of mint but taste in tea is not quite right.

[Jayb]

[goodlife]

Moroccan mint does it for me

[Nora42]

chocolate peppermint for me -although sadly I think my plant has disappeared.
Nora

[Jayb]

Thanks both  ,
Just wondering if chocolate Peppermint really has a hint of chocolate flavour?

[goodlife]

Thanks both  ,
Just wondering if chocolate Peppermint really has a hint of chocolate flavour?

Well..I really had to use my imagination to find that 'hint' and even then it propably was only my imagination
Still..nice mint 

[caroline7758]

I had a chocolate mint plant which was very short-lived- maybe it's less hardy. Jekka McVicar says peppermint or curly mint for indigestion.

[Obelixx]

The fancier mints are definitely more wussy so I grow mine in pots and then move them to shelter for the winter.  However, a few years ago some ginger mint escaped into one of my veg beds nearest the 4' high retaining wall and it's survived some really harsh winters since, producing fresh new shoots every spring.   I can only assume it likes the extra drainage as that bed gets no sun all winter.

Ginger mint is good in salads, G&T, Pimms and raitas and has golden variegated leaves so is pretty too.

[grannyjanny]

Thank you ladies, that's more mints I want to buy .

[Nomspatch]

The Tea which you get in Morocco etc is made from Peppermint...we grow loads of it for just that purpose and it also aids digestion nice cold too so save what you don't drink right away...
Moroccan 'mint' tea also uses Gunpowder 'green' tea to give its astringency...ordinary 'green' tea works just as well!

[goodlife]

The 'Moroccan mint' I mentioned is named variety of mint on its own with 'clear spearmint flavour', just like you get ginger mint, chocolate mint etc. The actual spearmint is another different variety.

[Jayb]

Great, I'll go for a Chocolate mint and Moroccan in a pot and over winter in the poly. Moroccan also in a container by the herb bed.
And I'll just have to go for a Variegated Ginger mint as it sounds delightful too, especially the pims bit! 
Thanks for that Nomspatch, but I don't like 'proper' bought mint teas, I find it has a taste I don't really like but fresh is great.

[Jayb]

Got that thanks goodlife, variety Moroccan Mint. I found a nice sounding site selling mints a few days ago but didn't have a clue what to go for, all changed   

Hmm, I'm not that fond of spearmint, perhaps that's the flavour I've not been enjoying?

[goodlife]

I've grown 'proper' spearmint too and although it smell really yummy...I found it bit too strong as 'tea' mint.
Where as Moroccan was 'just right' for me.
My favourite way of having mint cuppa..is to make brew ordinary black or green tea with some mint AND lemon verbena leaves ..and drink with tiny 'touch' of honey

[grannyjanny]

All home grown except the green tea goodlife. As I don't drink tea & am about to give up coffee how do you think I could have the mint teas please?

[goodlife]

All home grown except the green tea goodlife. As I don't drink tea & am about to give up coffee how do you think I could have the mint teas please?

I haven't ventured to grow my own 'black/green' tea leaves...yet! But I'm sure I could tuck one little bush somewhere..now THAT is something I have to look into!!!

I think you need to experiment with some 'recipes'..I'm sure that even cold mint tea would be quite refreshing when added to flavour some other drinks, don't have to be hot. I can imagine cold mint tea with some ginger cordial would go down well.. and lots of ice..would go well down during those HOT summer day
Have still got some lemon verbena growing? Mint and LV goes nicely together?

[grannyjanny]

Thank you goodlife. I thought that comment might get the cogs going . Do you have any 'experiments' planned for this year?

[antipodes]

Herbal teas are much more common in continental europe: just about any edible herb makes tea :)
I use green tea when making mint tea as black is too string. But just mint is  a bit bland.... Yes lemon verbena makes nice tea, I give away loads each year and my hubby drinks one every night! and so does lemon balm but with a stronger taste (and it's a little diuretic and tends to make you perspire a little!). For respirtaory complaints, a friend swears by a thyme infusion with honey... Also there is the traditional "verveine" (Verbena officinalis) which you can combine with mint too. That's relaxing I believe.

[GrannieAnnie]

We use monarda; I like throwing in some petals which turn the tea reddish. It is such a tough plant, spreads nicely, does well in drought even, if sheared back gives a second flush of blooms here, and the hummingbirds love it.

My most favorite for herb tea is anise hyssop. Leaves frozen in ice cube trays are a taste of summer in the winter.

[daveylamp993]

Would it be possible to put a link or two on here as to where i can buy different mint seeds,i like strong mint,my wife likes the milder ones,and any recommendations from you lovely people.

[manicscousers]

Jayb, I have some chocolate mint cuttings, I can send you one if you would like. I have some moroccan mint cuttings too but they are quite big and are destined for our plant sale. I can take some more and send one when they root