We serve a tasty variety of traditional black and herbal teas in the Backhouse Cafe including our popular range of mint teas. 16 different types of mint are grown in our south facing Mint & Lavender garden, they are used to make our mint teas, in our cafe menu and even at the end of the day our holiday visitors can place Eau de Cologne mint under the hot tap for a relaxing bath. Please choose fresh mint plants on sale at the cafe to take home, enjoy and refresh you.
The Lavender is of course L. angustifolia ‘Backhouse Purple’ – the earliest named dark purple cultivar first introduced in 1888 by the Backhouses. A good scent for a dark flowered lavender. Lavender attracts butterflies, bees and other winged insects, which in turn attract birds, so it’s good for our eco-climate. It’s also a great plant for children as it works on so many sensory levels.
Peppermint Tea
It is said Peppermint Tea is a delicious and refreshing way to boost your overall health in a number of ways. People believe it can assist in improved digestion, and in the reduction of pain from inflammation. Current research is ongoing into peppermint as an aid to weight loss, it’s possible ability to boost the immune system and it’s impact on the digestive system. The base element of menthol is perhaps the most valuable part of its organic structure.Through time it has been used, to relax the body and mind. We can confirm the lovely fresh aroma of a pot of mint on the kitchen windowsill is delightful.
Peppermint tea is a simple infusion made from peppermint leaves that is drunk as a tea. When you mix spearmint leaves to the tisane (infusion), then you get what’s called doublemint tea. This substance is caffeine-free, so many people who suffer from sensitive sleep patterns like to drink this caffeine free tea as part of their process for relaxing before bed.
The scientific name of peppermint is Mentha piperita, and is actually a cross between water mint and spearmint. It is native to Europe, but its popularity and wide range of uses has made peppermint a global commodity. Peppermint tea is similarly enjoyed around the world.
You can buy mint plants from the our Backhouse Nursery here at Rossie Estate:
| Mint Apple Variegated | Mentha suaveolens Variegata | |
| Mint Applemint | Mentha suavenolens | Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens) for mint jelly. |
| Mint Basil | Mentha x piperata f citrata | Basil Mint (Mentha x piperita f. citrata) for strawberries – with balsamic vinegar. |
| Mint Black Peppermint | Mentha x piperata | Black Mitcham Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) as a digestive tea or inhalation. |
| Mint Chocolate | Mentha x piperata f citrata | Chocolate Peppermint (Mentha x piperita f. citrate) for chocolate mousse. |
| Mint Curly | Mentha spicata Crispa | |
| Mint Eau De Cologne | Mentha x piperata f citrata | Eau de Cologne (Mentha x piperita f. citrata) for a refreshing bath. |
| Mint Garden | Mentha spicata | |
| Mint Gingermint | Mentha x gracilis ‘Variegata’ | |
| Mint Grapefruit | Mentha x piperata f. citrata | |
| Mint Lemon | Mentha x piperata f. citrata | |
| Mint Lime | Mentha x piperata f. citrata | |
| Mint Peppermint | Mentha piperata | mint-flavoured confectionery used in tea and for flavouring ice cream, confectionery, chewing gum, and toothpaste |
| Mint Red | Mentha x smithiana | Use in sauces to complement meats (mint sauce with lamb), soups, salads, vegetable dishes, sweet dishes and drinks. |
| Mint Russian | Mentha spicata group | Use in sauces to complement meats (mint sauce with lamb), soups, salads, vegetable dishes, sweet dishes and drinks. |
| Mint Spearmint | Mentha spicata | Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is the best garden mint, especially with peas. |