Behind the Brew: Chocolate and Peppermint

It’s as if chocolate and peppermint were made for each other: with the fresh feel of mint perfectly awakening sweet, rich chocolate. These two have made their mark in several sweet treats whether it’s an after dinner candy, a cool ice cream sundae or a soothing warm beverage. But where did it all begin?

Trivia:

The ritual of an after dinner mint can be traced back to ancient Rome, although peppermint wasn’t specifically identified until 1700 BC.
It was 1949 when deliciously chocolate covered Junior Mints first appeared, sparking a wealth of products from ice cream to mint flavored hot chocolate.
Did you know that there is a variety of the mint plant called chocolate mint? Yes, this plant provides all the health benefits of mint with the added scent and slight taste of chocolate.

Tips and Tricks:

Chocolate mint tea is the perfect after dinner drink. It freshens your breath, aids digestion (alleviates indigestion) and is a calorie free indulgence.
Want to bake a batch of cookies but there’s no vanilla on hand? Never fear, just brew up a batch of chocolate mint tea and add it to your baking instead.
Invest in your tresses; use a slightly cooled batch of chocolate mint tea as your final rinse. It will bring out the shine while leaving a sweet smelling hue.
Try creating your own batch of chocolate mint tea. Just add a 1 tsp. of cocoa and 3 fresh peppermint leaves to your favorite green, black or white tea. Drink it warm or add some ice for a refreshing, unsweetened iced tea.
Children love the naturally sweet taste of this tisane. Pack it either cold or warm in your child’s lunch and give them a fun, healthy alternative to water.
To ensure you’re getting the maximum health benefits, look at the ingredient list. Artificially created peppermint may still offer a similar taste but will not help soothe that sore tummy.
Mint is one of the easiest plants to grow. In fact, the mint family has been labeled invasive due to its fast growth rate. Plant some in your garden or bring your mint indoors and grow it in your kitchen. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overrun your whole garden.
Feeling a wee bit sleepy? Take a sip of naturally invigorating mint chocolate tea and give your body the pick me up it craves.