I love mint. All kinds! I am lucky to have it growing generously around my house. Even though I am able to pick it fresh and use it in my tea, I have found that the fresh peppermint I pick can taste very different from the ones I have tried in the US. Maybe the Ecuador variety is different from the US type? Both are delicious, just different.
This is one of my favorite peppermints. The leaves a pleasant fresh green and have an unmistakably minty aroma. They are in small pieces, but I feel that part of the strength that his tea has is due to this.
I brew a 2 teaspoons for 12oz, but I enjoy it really strong. 1tsp to 12oz will make a pretty tasty brew as well. The liquor is very dark murky green, almost brown.
The taste is a minty punch in the mouth followed by a pleasant minty breeze aftertaste. (sounds like a toothpaste commercial… But trust me, it tastes much better!) With a bit of honey or sugar it is great as a relaxing night time tea, refreshing iced tea, great for sore throat and upset tummy!
I brewed it today with Adagio’s Vanilla Black to make Candy Cane flavor (equal parts, I used 4 teaspoons of each for a large teapot full). I loved it! So did my family who got to drink it with cheesecake and pumpkin pie. (A belated Thanksgiving in Ecuador! : ) ). It was great hot and I loved it even more iced. Even though I wasn’t able to find actual Candy Canes in Ecuador, I feel that this captured Candy Cane flavor perfectly! Great way to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas Season! I am so happy, I love Christmas time!