How to Make Amish - Mennonite Meadow Tea

Meadow Tea is a simple refreshing Iced Mint Tea made with fresh mint and enjoyed in Amish and Mennonite communities. Meadow Tea to Mennonites is what Sweet Tea is to Southerners. 

Today I am going to show you how to make a delicious mint iced tea also known as Meadow Tea. It is called meadow tea because it's made with fresh mint that grows wild along creek sides and meadows. I first learned of meadow tea after watching one of my new favorite Vloggers, Lynette Yoder. 

Lynette is a Mennonite mom who shares videos on cooking, baking, decorating, cleaning, organizing, DIY's and home improvement projects. I stumbled upon her YouTube channel over spring break and during our April stay at home order. 

I was instantly hooked and have watched all her videos and have tried several recipes. I made her meadow tea out of curiosity, but instantly fell in love with the iced minty flavor. I can honestly see why this tea is loved in Amish and Mennonite communities. Meadow tea isn't really a tea, but fresh mint that has been brewed (similar to tea) then sweetened and chilled. 

If you have mint growing in your backyard or garden than you know that's it's an invasive herb. Just one little plant can multiply quickly and take over your garden in no time. For this reason I keep my mint plants contained when growing. I grow mint in an old galvanized wash tub that I got from my husbands grandmother about 20 years ago. 

Growing mint in a container is easier to control and maintain. If you have an abundance of mint growing, brewing meadow tea is a simple and delicious way to use up all that mint. Any mint will work, but spearmint and apple mint is my favorite. Now that I make meadow tea, I finally have a delicious use for all those mint clippings after pruning. 

Start by gathering your fresh mint together and soak in cold water to get off any dirt or critters.  

Drain the mint in a strainer. 

Pull the mint leaves off of the stem or leave the leaves on the stem. I have made the tea both way and haven't noticed a difference once steeped. Some people say it can the stems can be bitter, but I have not had that issue. It's really just a personal preference. 

 

In a large pot, bring the water to a boil and add the sugar. Lightly boil for 5 minutes. Add the mint leaves into the pot (pressing down to make sure the leaves get submerged). 

Boil mint leaves for an additional 1 minute, stir and cover. 

Turn the heat off, stir and let the mint leaves steep (covered) for 3-4 hours. This will be your tea concentrate. 

Strain the tea concentrate through a fine mesh strainer (pressing to release all the liquid) discard the mint leaves. 

Store concentrate into freezer containers and freeze.

To make the tea use approximately 1 part tea concentrate to 1  part of water and mix to combine. 

Serve over ice with or without lemon slice. 

Yield: 5 pints of tea concentrate

Author: Tina Butler | Mommy's Kitchen

Amish - Mennonite Meadow Tea

Meadow Tea is a simple refreshing Iced Mint Tea made with fresh mint and enjoyed in Amish and Mennonite communities. Meadow Tea to Mennonites is what Sweet Tea is to Southerners.

Prep time: 4 HourCook time: 5 MinTotal time: 4 H & 5 M

Ingredients

• 4 cups (packed) fresh mint (spearmint or peppermint)
• 2 quarts water (8 cups)
• 1 1/2  cups sugar

Instructions

1. Gather the fresh mint together and soak and rinse in cold water. Pull the mint leaves off of the stem and set aside.
2. Sometimes I just leave the mint leaves on the stem and haven't noticed a difference once steeped. It's really a personal preference.
3. In a large pot, bring the water to a boil and add the sugar.  
4. Lightly boil for 5 minutes.
5. Add the mint leaves into the pot (pressing down to make sure the leaves are submerged).
6. Boil for an additional 1 minute, remove the pot from the burner and turn off the heat.
7. Cover and let the mint mixture steep for 4- 5 hours.
8. Strain the concentrate through a fine sieve or strainer (pressing the leaves to release all of the liquid). Discard the mint leaves. 
9. Pour the concentrate into freezer containers and freeze or place in a mason jar and store in the fridge for up to one week.

How to make Meadow Tea:

• Use approximately 1 part tea concentrate to 1 part of water and mix to combine. Serve over ice with or without lemon slice.

https://www.mommyskitchen.net/2020/06/how-to-make-amish-mennonite-meadow-tea.html

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