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Flavorful teas are some of my favorite drinks. Having those teas be made from ingredients I can feel good about is of utmost importance. This chocolate mint tea blend is the best of all worlds.
A Good Quality Black Tea
As much as I love an all herbal tea, there are times when I enjoy a bit of black tea. It’s important to me that the black tea be delicious on its own. I want the black tea to be a delicious component of the overall flavor, not the overpowering flavor.
I used Pu-erh tea from the folks at Cup & Leaf in this blend. It’s a perfect compliment without being bitter or overly tannic.
Feel free to use any black tea you favor most. Use a decaffeinated black tea for after dinner dessert drinking, if desired.
Mint of Any Variety
I have a generic ‘mint’ growing in my garden. I dry lots of this particular herb every year. Plain old mint tea is a favorite of mine, but it’s also great in many different blends.
Use whatever mint you might have dried in your own pantry: spearmint, peppermint, that chocolate mint, etc.
This is a great way to give homegrown herbs to friends and family and have it be just slightly different than a jar of dried herbs (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Cacao Nibs
Cacao nibs are simply bits of fermented cocoa beans. These crunchy bits add a delightful chocolate flavor without making it feel like hot chocolate. It’s slightly bittersweet and a great combination with mint.
An Amazing Gift
This homemade chocolate mint tea blend comes together in minutes. Simply stir together and put in an airtight jar.
For gifts, add a pretty label to the jar. Put the tea in a pretty basket with a jar of honey, a pretty mug, and/or a tea ball for a complete and fun gift for the tea lover in your life.
Alternatively, split up the tea blend into individual servings. Seal the individual servings in tea bags and package up 10 bags or so in a pretty tin.
For a frugal mailed, care package, simply seal in a plastic bag and mail in a padded envelope with a card.
Serving Chocolate Mint Tea
Steep 1 Tablespoon of the chocolate mint tea blend in 8 ounces of boiling water for about 5 minutes. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup if desired. A splash of milk is nice, but drink however you prefer.
This truly is a great tea that feels like a treat. Use it for breakfast or afternoon snacking. It’s delicious with dessert. Simply drink and enjoy whenever you’d normally have tea.
Chocolate Mint Tea Blend
A simple but delightful blend of pu-erh tea, mint, and cacao nibs that makes for a delicious dessert tea and gift.
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Pu-erh Tea
- 1/2 Cup Dried & Crumbled Mint Leaves
- 1/2 Cup Cacao Nibs
Instructions
- Mix everything together well.
- Store in airtight jar.
- To use: Steep 1 Tablespoon in 8 ounces of boiling water.
If I didn’t want to make the blend ahead of time, just a fresh cup on demand, could I use fresh mint? I haven’t started drying herbs yet so I just pick from the garden :)
I imagine you could but I haven’t tested it. I would increase the fresh mint though because it’s not as concentrated as the dry. Something like 1 teaspoon of tea, 2 teaspoons of fresh mint chopped, 1 teaspoon cacao nibs. Let us know how it works for you.
@Rebecca, yes fresh mint leaves make a great tea. You can boil or microwave.
I would suggest boiling.
We use fresh mint leaves in Jamaica all the time straight from the tree.
Thank you for the good ideas in making tea blends. I like having a variety of teas on hand. You’ve given me some good ideas and homemade tea blends seem to taste better.
I love to make a modified simple syrup, my kids and I don’t like too sweet tea. I use 1/4-1/2C sugar (depends on your tastes) to 1C water and add a handful of fresh chocolate mint leaves. Same instructions for normal syrup. I reduce it to half and strain out the leaves. If I use this with my normal cup of black tea it tastes so chocolatey! My kids love it and have since they were little. They definitely thought they were getting sweets even with that little sugar!
Oh, my. I may have just fallen in love! :-)
This recipe is just the ticket for the coming winter weather.
Thanks, Kathie!
I hope you enjoy!
Just 2 say , MINT TEA is the BOMB , I LOVE LOVE MINT TEA ,💓 I drink it all the time ,I boil a cup of fresh mint leaves , always rinse them first , then add them into a pot full of water , bring to a boil for 10 – 15 mins on med heat ,have a pitcher with 2 cups of cold water ready then pour the hot tea in the pitcher , stirring then add a cup of Organic Honey’ , or any kind ? add more honey to your taste buds😋 , The sweeter the better !! 🍯🍯🍯🍯🍯
I just finished making this tea blend using the chocolate mint from my garden. It is heavenly! Like drinking dessert. It’s just wonderful!
Oh I’m so glad to hear it.
This sounds heavenly! I’m overrun with mint this year too, so I’m drying my chocolate mint for tea. :) Question: Do the cacao nibs melt in the hot water? Are they hard enough to just stay within the tea ball? How does that work?
The nibs are quite hot, they don’t melt – they just infuse the water with a light chocolate flavor.
@Kathie Lapcevic,
Where do you obtain chocolate nibs?
My local health food store carries them. Depending on where you live they might be in a regular grocery store.