π΅ The Leaf β Pure cut peppermint leaves, carefully dried to preserve their essential oils and naturally bright, cooling menthol character π΅ The Cup β A clean, pale golden-green infusion with a vivid minty aroma that lifts from the cup before the first sip π΅ The Character β Fresh, cool and naturally sweet, with a smooth menthol finish that refreshes the palate and lingers pleasantly π΅ The Occasion β Ideal after meals as a gentle digestive, equally good as a calming evening infusion or a refreshing morning alternative to caffeine Peppermint loose leaf herbal tea is one of the most straightforward and satisfying infusions you can brew β and one with a history that stretches back thousands of years. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a natural hybrid of spearmint and watermint, and mint tisanes have been enjoyed across the Mediterranean and Middle East since antiquity. The ancient Egyptians cultivated mint for both culinary and medicinal use, and it has remained a fixture in herbal traditions ever since. This is a pure infusion made entirely from carefully dried peppermint leaves, with nothing added and nothing removed. The cut leaf format gives an excellent, consistent brew, releasing the plant's natural menthol oils cleanly and evenly into the cup. The result is a pale golden-green infusion with a bright, clean aroma that is unmistakably mint β cool, fresh and naturally uplifting. The flavour is smooth and pleasingly uncomplicated: cool menthol at the front, a gentle natural sweetness in the mid-palate, and a clean, refreshing finish that lingers without bitterness. This is peppermint tea as it should be β honest, unfussy and quietly satisfying. It needs nothing added, though a thin slice of fresh lemon is a pleasant accompaniment if you enjoy a touch of citrus. As a naturally caffeine free herbal infusion, peppermint tea sits comfortably at any point in the day. Many people enjoy it after meals, where it has long been associated with easing digestion and refreshing the palate. It is equally well suited to the evening β a clean, calming brew that feels soothing without being soporific. For those who want something refreshing in warmer months, it also works beautifully brewed cold and served over ice. Since 2008, High Teas London has been one of the country's leading independent tea specialists. With over 350 teas and infusions β one of the largest collections available anywhere in the UK β our range spans everything from rare single-estate black teas to pure, simple herbals like this one. Because we believe that quality matters just as much in a humble peppermint infusion as it does in a first flush Darjeeling. Ingredients: Peppermint leaves. Brewing Note: Use one heaped teaspoon of cut peppermint leaf per cup and pour freshly boiled water at 100Β°C directly over the leaves. Steep for 5 to 7 minutes β peppermint is robust enough to take a longer infusion without turning bitter, and a fuller steep gives a more satisfying depth of flavour and aroma. If you prefer a lighter cup, 4 minutes will give a more delicate result. Peppermint also makes an excellent cold brew: add a generous teaspoon to cold, filtered water and leave in the fridge for 4 to 6 hours for a clean, cooling mint water that is excellent in summer. Serve plain or over ice.
