chat with anyone who has visited morocco, and they'll most likely share tales of its warm hospitality. at the heart of this warmth lies the tradition of offering moroccan mint tea – a gesture that says, “hey, you are welcome here!”. whether you’re a guest at a hotel or a window shopper in the bustling marrakech markets – this tea is offered to create a relaxed environment.
how about getting a little taste of this amazing tea culture? while our moroccan mint tea recipe can't fully replicate the firsthand experience of the country’s hospitality, we're here to help you enjoy the iconic tea in the comfort of your home, until the time you visit morocco.
What Is Moroccan Mint Tea?
‘atay bi nana’ (as it’s locally known) is an iconic drink that’s typically made with gunpowder green tea leaves, fresh spearmint leaves and lots of sugar. the result is a strong, sweet and minty tea that's enjoyed at any time of the day in morocco. in fact, the locals grab every possible opportunity to enjoy this drink – be it before a meal, after a meal or practically every hour.
we wouldn’t be doing justice to the tea if we didn’t mention how it’s served. so here goes – it’s served in an elaborate style – a ceremonial act and a visual feast. the tea is carefully prepared in a traditional moroccan teapot made of brass or silver, featuring a long and curved sprout.
the tea is then poured into ornamental glasses from a height. this not only imparts a nice frothy texture but also enhances the overall sensory experience.
the moroccan tea experience resonates with the sentiment, "tea is drunk without hurry".
How To Make Moroccan Mint Tea?
so, here we are then, with the moroccan mint tea recipe. to get the best results from the recipe you’ll need fresh spearmint leaves (or peppermint leaves), chinese gunpowder tea leaves and sugar.
want to learn how to make moroccan mint tea exactly like the locals? then get yourself the moroccan teapot and glasses – bered and keesan. but if you're in a hurry, your regular teapot and glasses work just as well – the flavour remains unchanged.
before we move on to the moroccan mint tea recipe, let’s check out the ingredients used in it.
Total Servings:-
4-6
Preparation Time:-
5 Minutes
Cooking Times:-
3 minutes
Nutritional Value:-
30 calories, 0g fat, 7g carbs, 0g protein
Recipe Category:-
drink
Cuisine:-
moroccan
equipment:
- teapot
- glasses
- saucepan or pot
ingredients
- 2 large bunch of fresh spearmint leaves
- 2 teaspoon gunpowder green tea leaves
- 3 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
- 6 cups of water
instructions
boil water: boil about 6 cups of water.
extracting the essence: pour tea leaves into the teapot and pour some hot water to fully immerse the tea leaves. allow the leaves to steep for one minute – don’t shake or stir it. after a minute, pour out the essence of the tea into a cup and save the beautiful deep rich, golden coloured essence for later use. it’s also called the “spirit” of the tea.
rinsing and discarding: you’ll notice that the tea leaves in the teapot have unfurled. now, pour some more hot water into the teapot to immerse the unfurled leaves. swirl it around gently and discard the water. this step cleanses the leaves, removing any dust trapped on their surface.
preparing tea: pour the essence you obtained earlier into teapot, add sugar and fill the teapot with 4 cups of hot water.
boiling the tea: on medium-low heat, bring the tea to a boil.
adding fresh mint: remove the pot from the heat and add a bunch of washed fresh mint to the tea.
presentation: pour the tea into cups as you normally do or go for the traditional style of pouring. you can skip the traditional style when you’re starting out, as it requires some precision. however, if you’re confident, pour the mint tea from as high as you can into the cups for an enjoyable presentation.
simpler moroccan mint tea recipe
if you want to learn how to make moroccan mint tea effortlessly, use teapigs tea bags that have chun mee green tea and pure mint leaves. this allows you to skip some steps that are required for the gunpowder tea leaves. you just steep the tea bags in the teapot for a few minutes (with or without additional fresh mint leaves). that’s it – just pour it into cups and enjoy.
undoubtedly, the experience may not be exactly as provided by moroccan hosts who skilfully prepare maghrebi mint tea (another name for the tea). their attention to detail is outstanding – from selecting the right tea leaves to unhurried rinsing of leaves in hot water, followed by rhythmic pouring of tea between the teapot and a glass. every action is a step towards blending and blooming the flavours and transforming the liquid into a golden amber drink.
while recreating that experience may not be possible right away, our guides help you learn how to make moroccan mint tea and enjoy it effortlessly at home.
Tips And Tricks to Make a Perfect Moroccan Mint Tea
If you’ve tried a Moroccan mint tea recipe but it just didn't quite turn out right, don't worry! We've got you covered with some tips and tricks for a perfect cup:
Boiling Time: Boiling the tea for too long can make it bitter, while boiling it for too short a time can make it weak. It's important to let the tea come to a boil and then let it steep for a few minutes before serving.
Froth on top: Creating the froth on top of the tea gives a true Moroccan mint tea experience. To do this, start pouring from close to the glass and then slowly raise the teapot to around a foot or so.
Sweetener: Traditional Moroccan mint tea is made with a lot of sugar, but you can adjust the amount to your liking. If you prefer a healthier option, you can use honey or agave nectar instead of sugar.
How To Store Your Leftover Moroccan Mint Tea?
Pat on the back if you've successfully tried the Moroccan mint tea recipe and made a delicious batch of Moroccan mint tea. Now if you have some leftover, don't let it go to waste. Here are some tips on how to make Moroccan mint tea leftovers stay fresh and flavourful for the next teatime.
Refrigerate the tea: The first step in storing your leftover Moroccan mint tea is to refrigerate it. The tea should be stored in a covered container to prevent any odours from being absorbed. You can also transfer the tea to a jug with a lid if you have a large amount of tea to store.
Don't let it sit for too long: Moroccan mint tea is best enjoyed fresh, so it's important not to let it sit for too long. Ideally, you should consume your leftover tea within 24 hours.
the rich history of moroccan mint tea
unravelling the story behind moroccan tea is like figuring out the plot of a mystery novel – full of clues but lacking confirmed facts. some theories suggest that way back in the 12th century b.c., the phoenicians and berbers got tea into morocco. but the details are missing, so other theories are also considered.
another one suggests that tea was introduced to morocco during the reign of moulay ismail in the 17th century, potentially as a diplomatic gift from queen anne of england.
well…the origin of the moroccan tea may be elusive, but we know that the true surge in its popularity occurred in the mid-19th century during the crimean war. this is when british merchants struggling with an excess of chinese tea, decided to share it with tangier and essaouira, laying the foundation for morocco's love affair with tea.
today, the moroccan tea is not a mere refreshment – it's a symbol of the warmth and hospitality of moroccans.
Conclusion
Let's wrap this up! From its unique brewing process to its presentation and refreshing taste, there's nothing quite like a cup of Moroccan mint tea.
Whether you're a tea lover or just looking for a new and exciting drink to try, Moroccan mint tea is definitely worth exploring. With the right ingredients, tools and techniques, you can create your very own delicious and authentic Moroccan mint tea that will impress your friends and family.
So enjoy the art of Moroccan mint tea, then sit back and take a sip.
FAQs on Moroccan Tea
Q. How do you make Moroccan mint tea?
A. to make moroccan tea, pour hot water over gunpowder tea leaves in a teapot and steep for 1 minute. transfer the rich golden essence of the tea to a cup and rinse the leaves by pouring more hot water. swirl and discard. boil water mixed with tea leaves, tea essence and sugar. then add a bunch of fresh mint. enjoy.
Q. what is the best time of day to enjoy moroccan mint tea?
A. the best time for moroccan tea is all day long! so, whether it's morning, afternoon or evening, any moment is the perfect time for this tea. it can be enjoyed with sweet and savory treats.
Q. can i use honey instead of sugar in moroccan mint tea?
A. you can substitute honey for sugar in moroccan tea for a rich and natural sweetness. adjust the quantity to your taste, enhancing the tea's flavour profile with the distinct notes of honey. it's a practical alternative if you’re trying to cut down on sugar intake.
Q. what is the difference between mint and moroccan mint?
A. moroccan mint looks like regular mint but is smaller and has bright green leaves with small edges and soft stem. the leaves grow close together and taste like strong spearmint. they can be used fresh or dried.
