Green Mint

Quantity of tea leaves: 3 gram
Temperature of water: 80°
Infusion time: 3 minutes
Maximum number of infusions: 2 times

Begin by heating water to 80°C, the optimal temperature to bring out the refreshing and invigorating flavours of Green Mint. For the brew, place about 3 grams of Green Mint leaves into your teapot or infuser (about 250 ml), ensuring there is ample space for the leaves to expand and release their essence. Pour the heated water over the leaves, fully covering them, and let them steep for 3 minutes for the initial infusion.

Enjoy up to two infusions, maintaining the water temperature at 80°C and slightly extending the brewing time for the second infusion to fully appreciate the tea’s refreshing minty profile.

Green Mint is also an ideal base for a delicious iced tea during hot summer days, making it a versatile choice for both hot and cold beverages. Additionally, it is worth exploring the Moroccan style tea recipes. Add some sugar and pour the infusion several times from a high point from one teapot to another vessel to create foam on top of the brew.

Read more about how to brew a delicious cup of tea.

Green Mint offers a refreshing and invigorating experience with its blend of fresh green tea and the natural sweetness of mint. The dry leaves emit a sweet, herbaceous aroma with a pleasant scent of peppermint.

Upon infusion, the tea reveals a light, clear yellowish-orange liquor that combines the vegetal notes of the green tea with the cool, soothing qualities of mint. The taste is smooth and velvety on the palate, providing a balanced and harmonious flavour profile that is both refreshing and comforting.

Enjoy the subtle sweetness and delicate, lingering minty finish that makes Green Mint a perfect choice for any time of the year.

Tea production in Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, dates back to 1891 when Jesuit missionaries from Scotland introduced Chinese tea bushes via the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, making it the first African country to cultivate tea commercially. The country’s tea-growing regions, particularly Thyolo, Nkhata Bay, and Mulanje, benefit from high altitudes, rich volcanic soils, and a subtropical climate, creating an ideal terroir for tea cultivation.

Malawi primarily produces black tea for the CTC (cut-tear-curl) market, known for its strong, brisk flavour and vibrant colour, but there is also a growing interest in green and specialty teas. As one of the top tea producers in Africa, Malawian tea is a key export product, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.

Nestled in the Shire Highlands of the Thyolo district, Satemwa Tea Estate is a picturesque landscape of rolling tea gardens and pristine mahogany forests, producing a wide range of black, green, oolong, white, and dark teas. Tea here is grown at an altitude of 1000-1200 metres above sea level, produced from various local unique cultivars, and the bushes are relatively young, the plantations being 50+ years old.

Founded in 1923 by Scot MacLean Kay, the estate transformed from a tobacco farm to a tea nursery, planting its first fields in 1926 and opening the factory in 1937. Historically, much of Satemwa’s production catered to the CTC market, supplying major brands like Pickwick, Lipton, Tetley, and Yellow Label.

Today, under the leadership of third-generation farmer Alexander Kay and a dedicated team including Chisomos Custitomu and Fadson Mandala, Satemwa has shifted its focus to specialty teas, emphasising craftsmanship and quality to sustain employment and enhance the income of the local community. As one of the last independent, family-run farms in Malawi, Satemwa boasts diverse crops, including tea, coffee, hibiscus, and various herbs, while maintaining protected areas of ancient indigenous forest.

This biodiversity supports numerous species and enriches the land, further nurtured by the estate’s sustainable practices and year-round employment for its workers. In 2009, the smallholders of Satemwa obtained Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certification, with gender equality and climate change mitigation high on the list of priorities for the estate. The emphasis on handcrafting rather than mechanisation ensures high-quality artisan tea.

Read more about Satemwa Tea Estate.

Experience the refreshing taste of Green Mint, a delightful blend of hand-picked green tea leaves from the Zomba cultivar and locally sourced mint leaves, both grown at the Satemwa Tea Estate in Malawi.

The green tea is meticulously processed to preserve its natural antioxidants and vibrant flavour, while the mint adds a refreshing burst that perfectly complements the tea’s subtle grassy notes.

Green Mint is a perfect introduction to the complex and expansive world of green tea, offering a unique taste experience that reflects the rich terroir of Malawi.

Read more about green tea in our blog.

Properly storing the Green Mint tea leaves is crucial to retain its freshness and flavor. The key is to protect them from the elements that can compromise their quality: air, heat, light, and moisture.

Read more about how to store loose-leaf tea.