In out house we are not aversed to a cup of tea. In fact we drink a load of it throughout a typical day. Whilst I really enjoy a fine cup of Earl Grey (never with milk mind you), I like the idea of growing my own tea. Not blessed with a Himalayan climate here on the south coast, I’m not sure if it’s even possible (I know that there is a commercial tea plantation in Cornwall). So, I’ve decided to embrace the herbal tea and have turned excess spring mint growth into a warm, yet refreshing brew. It turns out that mint tea made with mint leaves (not from a bag) is not only easily made, but also infinitely more refreshing and clean tasting. It tastes so healthy that I had to find out what benefits it could be bringing me and it transpires it has some real health benefiting properties. As well as the obvious plus of being caffeine free, mint tea has long been recognised as aiding digestion, relieving stress and even helping with nausea. What’s more it’s the perfect drink to make at the allotment on a spring day.

You will need
A cups worth of just boiled water
4 or 5 sprigs of mint (take the new growth as it’s the freshest)
Kettle or teapot

Once your water is boiled, place the mint leaves into your teapot and pour the water over the mint. Leave it to steep for 5 minutes or so before pouring into your cup to drink. I used a natty camping kettle with a strainer built in, but anything which allows you to filter the liquid would be fine. Pop a couple of mint leaves in your cup and sit back and enjoy a refreshing cuppa.