Fresh Strawberry and Mint Tea

Fresh herbs in winter, are like sunshine after a week of rain; and that is what I am enjoying today by the way.  We are having some wonderful sunshine after a week of rain; it feels so nice.  I am also enjoying a much needed cup of tea.  After having cleaned out my pantry and mopped my floors this morning.  I wanted something refreshing.  So I made a  pot of  Fresh Strawberry and Mint Tea; its delicious, refreshing and even little therapeutic.  I decided to share it with you.  This is a special tea using the fresh Strawberries and fresh Mint that I got from the farmers market on Saturday. I am sure enjoying the benefits of living in Florida; fresh fruits, veggies and herbs in the winter time, yes, that works well for me.

The Strawberries add a subtly sweet flavor to this tea, and the mint goes wonderfully with it adding an invigorating, while still soothing factor.  I love the little bit of lime zest as well.  It is a nice change from the same ol' thing. In Russia they often put fruit preserves into their tea, and this puts me in mind of that somewhat. So, in remembrance of Russian tea, I am using my Russian teacups… and thinking how glad I am that I am not in Siberia right now.

Here's all you need to do:

Put four cups of water into a medium sized pot and bring to a boil, then turn it off.  

Finely chop a small bunch of mint (about 1/2 of a cup chopped).  

Crush the mint slightly to release the oils and mint flavor.  Add this to the pot of hot water along with 2 tea bags.

Finely chop 8 - 10 Strawberries, pour it, juice and all, into the pot.  

Add 1 teaspoon of lime zest to the pot, cover and steep 10 minutes.

Place a strainer over your teapot.

Strain the tea into the pot.

  Add fresh mint and sliced strawberries to each cup.

 Add hot tea.

 Enjoy

Fresh Strawberry Tea

Ingredients:
4 cups boiling water
2 tea bags (black tea)
1/2 cup fresh mint finely chopped
8 -10 strawberries, finely chopped
1 teaspoon lime zest

Fresh mint leaves, strawberry slices and lime zest for each cup

Instructions:

1. Bring water to boil in a medium saucepan.
2. Add tea bags, mint and strawberries to the water.
3. Allow to steep about 10 minutes.
4. Strain tea, mint and strawberries from liquid and into the teapot.
5. Cover with a tea cozy.
6. Prepare each cup with 2 slices of strawberries, one mint leaf and a pinch of lime zest.
7. Pour tea and enjoy (Sweeten if desired)