Amish Meadow Tea: The Refreshing Way To Use Up Your Mint This Summer - Tasting Table

Mint grows abundantly and spreads into many outdoor spaces, making it a common ingredient for seasonal drinks. Meadow tea is not traditional tea because it typically contains no tea leaves; it is an herbal infusion, or tisane, made by steeping fresh mint in hot water and then adding sugar. It can be made with many mint varieties, including spearmint, wintergreen, and wild mint. The tradition is especially associated with Pennsylvania Dutch communities in the rural Midwest, where mint’s fast growth and invasiveness made it useful for gatherings and meals. The “Amish-style” character comes largely from the amount of sugar added. Preparation involves rinsing mint, steeping it for hours, straining, and sweetening while warm.

"Despite its name, meadow tea isn't "tea" in the traditional sense because it usually doesn't contain any tea leaves. It'd be more accurate to call it a "tisane," which is an herbal infusion made of one or many plants. Regardless, it's a simple homemade drink made by steeping large amounts of fresh mint in hot water, and then adding sugar. It can be any kind of mint, from mojito mint to spearmint to wintergreen."

"The drink has especially strong roots in Pennsylvania Dutch traditions across states like Pennsylvania (natch), Ohio, and Indiana. In these rural households, meadow tea was a practical way to use up the explosion of mint during the growing season. Mint is famously invasive and easy to cultivate, so it was traditionally served at church gatherings, summer suppers, and harvest meals. What makes the drink "Amish-style," besides its history, is the amount of sugar added, as these communities have quite the sweet tooth."

"To make meadow tea, gather roughly 2½ cups of fresh mint and rinse well to ensure no bugs are hitching a ride. Add the mint to a pot of just-boiled water, cover, and let steep for three hours. Use a strainer to pour the minty mixture into a gallon-sized container if you don't want bits of leaves floating around. While still warm, add enough sugar to sweeten to your liking."

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