Green tea has been used traditionally in many cultures since ancient times. Basically, it is a green tea seeped with fresh or dried mint leaves. This tea is very beneficial medicinally, and it was an integral part of the traditional Chinese medicine. Green tea has historic importance in both Chinese as well as Moroccan culture. Hence, entwining them in trade as well with China being the main supplier of a green tea variety; gunpowder tea to Morocco. How to Prepare Green Tea with Mint? Here are some traditional and conventional ways of using mint and green tea. Try them all because each have their own benefits. Moroccan Way Ingredients

• 3-4 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon dried tea leaves (gunpowder variety)
• 2-3 tablespoons sugar
• Large bunch of fresh mint

Directions

• Boil water.
• Add 1 tablespoon of dried green tea in a large teapot, made mainly of uncoated metal.
• Add 1 cup of boiling water to the teapot and swish around.
• Pour the water into a cup and keep aside. This water contains the main tea flavor.
• Add another cup of boiling water to the teapot and swish around. Now discard this water. This step is performed to clean the loose tea.
• Add a large bunch of mint leaves and 2-3 tablespoons of sugar or any other sweetener except honey to the teapot.
• Pour the cup of tea-flavored water that you had kept aside back in the teapot. Now, add around 3-4 cups of boiling water.
• Bring the tea to a boil over medium heat, and once the sugar seems to caramelize, remove from heat.
• Serve hot.

Other Way For this method one can use loose green tea leaves and a cupful of fresh or dried spearmint or peppermint leaves. After you get this, it is important to blend them. In a clean glass jar, add just a quarter cup of water and a cup full of mint leaves. Close it, and keep in a cool, dry place for a day or so. Now it's time to brew your tea, strain the stored blend, add in another half cup of boiling water and a teaspoon of the infused mint. Steep the green tea for not more than a couple of minutes. You may add sugar if you want to. Health Benefits To enjoy the maximum benefits of this tea, do not brew it much. With leaves in it, it will get bitter. Green tea is synonymous with herbal tea, and it has all the health benefits one can look for. As this tea does not make use of milk or milk powder, it is great for lactose-intolerant people too. It is an excellent source of antioxidants that control and inhibit the growth of free radicals. It is believed to stop the growth of cancerous cells in the body, while ensuring the health of normal cells. It promotes the immune-system health. The tea is quite effective in controlling the blood-clot formation, which is seen as a major cause for thrombosis. The consumption of green mint tea also aids in reducing the levels of cholesterol in the blood, preventing hardening of arteries, thereby reducing the incidence of strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular diseases. This tea is also used as a part of weight loss programs since it helps speed metabolism, which in turn burns fat speedily while ensuring a good-digestive health. The tea also helps prevent tooth decay by preventing dental plaque. Although not proven, its antioxidant properties help slow down aging and appearance of wrinkles. Thus, the health benefits of green tea and mint can be reaped by having a cup of green mint tea. A steaming hot glass of the fragrant, sweet, light tea, with or without sugar, will do wonders for your mind and body. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a dietitian or nutritionist.