You don’t have to have been to Morocco to know about the famous Moroccan Mint Tea. The drink that is basically the heart of Moroccan culture can be found almost everywhere, and it is without a doubt one of the most popular types of tea in the world. With various names like the Touareg tea, Maghrebi mint tea and Moroccan Whiskey”, it all balls down to it being the well-known Moroccan mint tea.
While some might be well-versed in the arts and history of this very fine tea, there’s always a surprise in store for us all. A quick but extensive rundown of this delicious, beneficial Moroccan Mint Tea awaits you in this article, and you might even learn a thing or two along the way.
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What is Moroccan Mint Tea?
Arguably one of the pillars of Moroccan culture, the mint tea is sipped at any time of the day, with a slight preference for the end of a meal. Legend has it that the reason behind the large consumption of mint tea in Morocco is because the locals believe it was the favourite drink of the Prophet (in Islam).
This mint tea holds an extremely crucial place in the lives and social relations of Moroccans as it is also known as the drink of friendship and hospitality. It also represents generosity and tradition.
Moroccans propose and drink tea when they meet, during ceremonies of both celebration and mourning, and basically any and every other encounter. It’s considered impolite to refuse a glass of tea that’s been offered to you, given that it’s a symbol of bonding.
The Moroccan mint tea is almost always prepared in front of the guests, on a silver tray with ingredients such as the teapot, hot water, tea leaves, mint leaves and sugar. While the tea is being prepared, it is without a doubt that the ritual of Moroccan mint tea is an art.
Origins of Moroccan Mint Tea
It is believed that the tradition of tea in Morocco dates back to the 12th century BC, introduced by the Phoenicians who settled in the north of the country. There are various hypotheses on the origin of the tea, and one of it links to the first settlers of Morocco, the Berbers, who imported tea from Asia.
Another theory is that it came from Spain and Portuguese at the time of the military attempts to conquer the country in the 18th century, while others believe that the Queen Anne Stuart of Great Britain introduced the tea to the Moroccan Sultan as a ploy to release British prisoners.
At the end of the day, it’s still unclear as to where and when the Moroccan mint tea originated from, but it is safe to say that this favourite Moroccan beverage has been around for an extremely long time.
The Use of Green Tea in Moroccan Tea
There are so many types of tea leaves in the world, but the most typical type of tea that’s served in Morocco is green tea, and very specifically the Chinese gunpowder tea. There’s no obvious and specific reason behind the choice, but it probably has to do with its perfect blend with fresh mint and sugar.
Unlike most other teas, the Moroccan tea will always have plentiful of sugar already blended and mixed into the tea during its brewing process, and drinking tea without sugar in it can get you strange looks.
What is Moroccan Mint Tea Good For?
On top of drinking the tea for leisure, Moroccan mint tea itself has various medicinal and beauty benefits. It contributes to good health, and those who live in the deserts or oasis enjoy drinking the Morocco hot tea as it cools down the body. Moroccan tea has many powerful ingredients like antioxidants, properties that boosts endurance, aids in digestion, increase mental performance and even assist in clearing up the skin.
Those who use the tea for health benefits often infuse their tea with other aromatic plants and herbs. These include dried flowers such as rose petals, along with lemon peel, orange peel and orange blossom water. It’s common to see a variety of herbs brewed in tea in winter months to ward off illnesses.
Types of Moroccan Tea
Green tea is the most common type of tea served in Morocco, but there are also many other alternatives and varieties offered. A unique type of tea, called the Berber tea (named after the first people to settle down in Morocco), mixes herbs like wild thyme, lemongrass, sage, mint, geranium, verbena, wormwood and occasionally other ingredients depending on the time of the year and what’s available to the person making the tea.
This tea is naturally sweet hence additional sugar is unnecessary, but some still add them anyway.
The practice of steeping herbs with tea does not limit to just the Berber tea, and it’s quite common to substitute various types of herbs for the mint in the traditional Moroccan tea.
What to Eat with Moroccan Tea?
As the Moroccan tea is consumed all throughout the day, there is no particular food item to be served with it. The drink often accompanies the most traditional dishes of Morocco like couscous, tajine, tanjia or B’Sara (bean soup). Other times, the tea accompanies traditional pastries such as cornes de gazelle, chebakia and briouates.
If you’re visiting a Moroccan restaurant and ordered tea, some of the time it’s served with Turkish delight — a very perfect pairing for most.
Moroccan Tea Etiquette
Moroccan tea tradition has been passed down from many generations back. It has become some sort of a ritual — one that you can observe in a private home or even in the souks. Because of that, a whole set of tea etiquette has been mutually brought together when it comes to handling the Moroccan tea.
As it is a sign of hospitality, the Moroccan mint tea is often served three times out of generosity. Each glass has its own meaning — the first one is said to be “as bitter as life”, the second is “as strong as love” and the third is “as gentle as death”. All of the three offerings should be drank out of politeness and respect for the culture and tradition.
Another etiquette of the Moroccan tea is to sip it loudly. It shows appreciation and good will to the person or family serving it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be followed, but don’t be surprised when others are doing it.
The one that ultimately is the most important etiquette of them all, and has been mentioned before, is to never refuse a glass of Moroccan tea. It’s considered impolite and rude otherwise, as you’re technically rejecting their hospitality. Accepting any and all offered tea is the way to go!
Secrets Behind the Perfect Moroccan Tea!
The ingredients to the Moroccan tea is simple: dried green tea (or gunpowder), fresh mint leaves, large pieces of sugar and boiling water. The key — and secret — lies in the amount of each ingredient as well as the infusion time. Like any other tea-brewing rituals, making the perfect Moroccan tea requires practice and an amazing knack and precision for quantity.
Moroccan mint tea is also poured from very high up, and an extra glass is also poured. There are many stories explaining this tradition, but generally it’s to assess how good the tea is. It’s poured high enough to create foam at the top of the glass, and if there is none, then the tea is bad.
The first cup is also poured halfway while the other is full, and the first cup is poured back into the teapot while the second is discarded. It is claimed that the second cup has toxins released when pouring it, and pouring back the first cup is believed to remove some of the bitterness to help circulate the flavours.
Make Moroccan Tea at Home!
Making Moroccan tea at home is simple! While it is an art and the whole process of brewing and pouring is some sort of ritual, it is part of the fun when you get the hang of it. The steps below are summarised but also precise for you to make the perfect pot of Moroccan mint tea!
- Place the green tea leaves (or gunpowder) in the teapot, and pour a little bit of boiling water. Let it sit for half minute.
- Drain the water.
- Pour half a liter of boiling water into the pot and allow it to brew for a minute or so.
- Pour a glass of tea into a teacup.
- Put in a handful of mint and your desired amount of sugar.
- Put the pot on open fire and wait for the tea to boil up.
- Pour the glass of tea from the teacup.
- Take the teapot off the fire and let it sit for a few minutes to cool.
- To stir the mixture, pour a cup of tea in height and then pour it back into the teapot. Repeat this as many times as necessary for the sugar and mint to mix well. (Generally it is two or three times.).
Moroccan mint tea is significant in the culture of Moroccans and even for others around the world. With its health and beauty benefits, history and art of it all, the Moroccan mint tea has so much to offer to us all. The precision of the brewing process and the art of the serving ritual is unique in many ways and forms that gives so much more meaning and beauty to the Moroccan mint tea.
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