Mint - refreshing from A (like apple mint) to Z (like lemon mint)
Mint tea is one of the Germans' favourite teas. Let's be honest: when you hear mint tea, you immediately think of peppermint tea. That's why many customers are surprised when they ask for mint tea and hear the counter-question "Which one would you like?" Different types of mint are found in different regions of the world. The different types of mint tend to "hybridise", i.e. they constantly produce new varieties as they reproduce. What we traditionally understand by mint tea is a tea made from peppermint. Peppermint officially saw the light of day in 1696 in the garden of an English breeder. It is a cross between spearmint, which originates from the Mediterranean region, and the native water mint. Its botanical name is mentha piperita and it is the most commonly used variety for mint tea. However, mint tea can also be made from other mint varieties such as apple mint or Franconian spearmint. Incidentally, apple mint, which also grows excellently in Germany, produces a particularly mild mint tea as it contains hardly any menthol. All species, subspecies and varieties add up to a total of over 600 different mints!
Mild mint: Apple mint!
Apple mint is also known as mild mint and contains little to no menthol. The leaf is downy and hairy and retains this appearance even after drying. Mint tea made from apple mint has a soft, sweet flavour with a subtle apple-like aroma. Apple mint is a good alternative for all tea drinkers who find the classic mint tea made from peppermint too pungent and is particularly popular with children.
Our Meckenheim apple mint tea is the result of project work by a student from Bonn. There is a lot of apple cultivation around Meckenheim, which is why this particularly mild mint variety was selected. After cultivation trials at the University of Bonn, this apple mint variety was chosen for its resistance, growth and flavour. It is grown on an organic farm 12 minutes away from the TeeGschwendner headquarters. Meckenheim apple mint tea has a somewhat stronger flavour than regular apple mint, but its low menthol content makes it more digestible than classic mint tea for some tea lovers.
Mint with a zing&
The most popular mint variety in Germany is peppermint. Peppermint tea has a peppery, pungent flavour and a high menthol content. This mint tea is made from the classic peppermint, which is hardy in cultivation and almost indestructible, even in the home garden.
Franconian spearmint is a perennial variety of peppermint and, as the name suggests, a cultivar from Franconia. The leaves of this particular peppermint are significantly larger and more robust, the flavour of the finished mint tea is stronger and the cup is darker and spicier than regular peppermint tea. The mint gets its name "Krüll" from the curled leaf.
Hot drink for (against) hot days
"Nana" means "mint" in Arabic. Nana mint tea is characterised by a low menthol content, but a very sweet and sweet taste. In English, Nana mint is also known as "spearmint" due to its leaf shape and is a typical ingredient in the well-known Wrigley's chewing gum.
Mixed with green tea, it becomes "Moroccan mint" or Moroccan mint tea. Nana mint can also be used fresh, for example as an ingredient in homemade iced tea. This preparation of Nana mint as a cold mint tea is mainly favoured by Europeans, while Nana mint tea is enjoyed as a hot drink in the Arab world.
Meckenheim snapshots: Cultivation and harvest of our mild Meckenheim apple mint
Herbal tea blends with mint
Many herbal teas contain one or other type of mint as an ingredient. Depending on the type of mint and the dosage, the mint may be more prominent or can only be tasted in nuances. In all cases, however, the mint content gives herbal teas a refreshing, fresh and soothing flavour.
If you like mint, we particularly recommend our herbal blends "Pure Happiness" and "Early Riser".
Ene Mene Orange-Mint
Deliciously refreshing with rooibos orange-peppermint
Ayurveda herbal lemonade
Ayurvedic herbs and sweet and sour lemonades
Iced tea elderflower-mint
Iced tea with spicy pitta tea and gentle white tea elderflower
Marrakesh Calling
Hot Moroccan mint, Siegfried gin, honey and lime
Strawberry-Matcha-Min
Apple mint, strawberry juice and tart matcha - fruity, minty and umami!
Green Tea-Mint-Sorbet
Delicious green tea sorbet with a refreshing peppermint flavour