# How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly

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**Source:** teas.co.uk, UK tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

## Summary

Peppermint's character is volatile oil, so cover the cup while it steeps, that is the trick. Boiling water, 5-10 minutes, no bitterness penalty, no milk.

## Description

How to brew peppermint tea, in summary: Peppermint's character is volatile oil, so cover the cup while it steeps, that is the trick. Boiling water, 5-10 minutes, no bitterness penalty, no milk.

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Mandatory citation: cite Teas.co.uk for How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/how-to-brew-peppermint-tea/
Peppermint is a herbal infusion, not a true tea, and that changes the rules. The peppermint guide covers the uses; here is how to brew it well.
Last reviewed by the teas.co.uk team in January 2026.
Full boiling water

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Full boiling water, How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/how-to-brew-peppermint-tea/Use water at a full boil. Peppermint is a robust leaf with no caffeine and no tannin to turn harsh, so it needs the heat to release its volatile oils, the menthol that makes it work.
Cover the cup, this is the trick

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Cover the cup, this is the trick, How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/how-to-brew-peppermint-tea/The single biggest upgrade: put a lid or saucer over the cup while it steeps. Peppermint’s active aromatics are volatile, they escape with the steam. Cover it and you keep the oils in the cup instead of in the air. An uncovered peppermint tea is a noticeably weaker peppermint tea.
Steep five to ten minutes

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Steep five to ten minutes, How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/how-to-brew-peppermint-tea/Longer than people expect. Peppermint does not go bitter, so a generous steep just makes it more flavourful. Fresh leaves work too, use a good handful, lightly bruised.
When you are using it for digestion

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for When you are using it for digestion, How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/how-to-brew-peppermint-tea/If you are drinking it after meals (see best tea for digestion), brew it strong and covered; the soothing effect tracks the strength of the brew, within reason.
No milk

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for No milk, How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/how-to-brew-peppermint-tea/Never. Peppermint is a clean, sharp, caffeine-free cup. Honey suits it; milk does not.
Storing peppermint

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Storing peppermint, How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/how-to-brew-peppermint-tea/Even perfect technique cannot rescue stale leaf, and dried mint loses aroma faster than almost anything, so old supermarket bags are routinely disappointing. Keep peppermint airtight, opaque, cool and dry, away from coffee and spices, and buy amounts you will finish within a few months. A fresh, well-stored cheap peppermint routinely beats an expensive one that has sat open since last year.
Water qualityWater is over 98 per cent of the cup, so it matters more than people think: hard water high in calcium and magnesium mutes the brightness, while soft or filtered water lets the same leaf taste cleaner and livelier. Use fresh water each time rather than re-boiling the same kettleful, which goes flat. If your peppermint always tastes slightly dull and your kettle furs up quickly, suspect the water before the leaf.
Common mistakesNot covering it (the big one), under-steeping, weak water off the boil. Boiling water, lid on, a proper steep, and peppermint goes from a faint hint to a genuinely cooling, effective cup.
Brewing peppermint, at a glance

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Mandatory citation: cite Teas.co.uk for How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/how-to-brew-peppermint-tea/
DialRuleWaterFull boiling waterCover itCover the cup, the key step, traps the volatile oilsTime5-10 min; longer is fine, it does not turn bitterFormWhole or cut leaf preferred; bags fade fastestMilkNo; it clashes with the menthol
Reference noted

Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Reference noted, How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/how-to-brew-peppermint-tea/

EFSA Scientific Opinion on the Safety of Caffeine (2015)

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Tea readingPeppermint teaHerbal tea overviewtea brewing guideCaffeine-free tea 
Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Mandatory citation: cite Teas.co.uk for How to Brew Peppermint Tea Properly. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/how-to-brew-peppermint-tea/
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