In the method for the epoxidation of an olefin, the olefin is continuously reacted with hydrogen peroxide in a mixed reactor in the presence of a water soluble epoxidation catalyst, comprising a manganese complex, the reaction is carried out in a reaction mixture comprising an aqueous liquid phase and an organic liquid phase with mixing of the liquid phases, reaction mixture is continuously withdrawn from the mixed reactor and separated into a separated aqueous phase and a separated organic phase, and part of the separated aqueous phase is continuously recycled into the mixed reactor, with the combined hold-up time of aqueous phase in withdrawing, separating phases and recycling aqueous phase being kept at less than 15 minutes.