There’s something magical about mint—and not just because both words start with the letter M!

Mint seems to cool you down when you’re too hot and warm you up when you’re too cold. It soothes your throat when it's dry and opens up your lungs when they're congested.

In discussing the specific varieties found at Adagio, we refer to a few herbs in the mint family of Lamiaceae: peppermint, spearmint, and wintergreen. These are known for their herbal qualities as well as their bright green leaves and unmistakably sharp, sweet, icy-fresh fragrance. The Lamiaceae family grows worldwide—in Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Australia-Oceania—which explains the variety of ways different cultures enjoy mint (Casablanca Mint for brunch, anyone?).

Mint also has a rich medicinal history. It is well-studied for its benefits in Western medicine and in Ayurveda, mint is said to "clear stagnation," meaning it has the potential to contribute to a variety of medicinal uses and qualities, such as aiding in digestion, detoxification, and respiratory comfort. This is also echoed in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which lists its properties as "cool acrid herb, releases to the exterior, disperses wind heat, vents rashes, [and] frees constrained liver qi."

So what are we waiting for? Let's dive into some tasty teas featuring this fabulous refresher:

1. Peppermint

This was one of the first teas listed on Adagio’s Herbal tea selection, and it remains one of the best. A good peppermint tea is as nuanced and layered as a brocade garment from one of the far-flung countries where the herb originates.

You'll want to taste all its flavor components: sweet, spicy, pungent, bitter, savory, and astringent. These elements contribute to its effectiveness in alleviating digestive and respiratory discomforts, and they also ensure that this peppermint tea can complement almost any snack.

Remember to steep it with boiling water from your variable temperature kettle.

2. Spearmint

What distinguishes this tea from peppermint, aside from the name?

You’ll find that spearmint has a cooler, smoother feel than its peppery counterpart. This tends to give it a similar reputation to other extra-fresh-tasting herbs like cilantro; some people will adore it, others might wonder what all the fuss is about, and some might even dislike it—which is perfectly fine!

If it does tickle your palate, be sure to serve it with a flavor buddy like Raw Honey for Garden Herbals from Adagio Bees.

3. Moringa Mint Twist

It’s exciting to recommend this tea! The peppermint sings a song of sweetness here, backed up by citrus peels for punch and acidity, balancing out the occasional bitterness of Moringa.

This tea is a great choice to kickstart your morning. We suggest preparing it with one of our handy travel tumblers like the ActiviTEA 2, making it easy to take your energy boost on the go. And don’t worry about it over-steeping; the citrus peel will help keep it fresh.

4. Foxtrot

With a name as cute as its character—whether you're a fan of the Fox from "The Little Prince" or "Fantastic Mr. Fox"—this tea will appeal to all foxy souls.

It's caffeine-free, making it perfect for bedtime. Adding some honey, especially a naturally-flavored variety like Blueberry Honey from Adagio Bees, will enhance its subtle sweetness.

5. Cha Cha

Named after the energetic dance, this tea can be sassy or sweet, sleepy or springy-of-step, depending on how you enjoy it. The mint pairs well with chamomile and lemongrass, creating a blend you might want to dance with all night long.

For extended enjoyment, try steeping this in a cold brew pitcher so you can savor it repeatedly until the music stops.