Moroccan Mint Tea Recipe

Moroccan mint tea is the exceptional marriage between green tea and Moroccan fresh mint leaves. Everything in Morocco begins with a freshly made pot of mint tea.

Tea is an important part of every conversation, whether you are negotiating prices in the Souq (traditional market) or visiting a friend you will be welcomed by a cup of freshly brewed Moroccan mint tea.

Serves: 4-6 Prep Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 5 mins

INGREDIENTS

2 tsp Moroccan gunpowder tea
3-6 tsp sugar (this depends on how sweet you like your tea. Moroccan tea tends to be extra sweet)
A bunch of fresh mint leaves
A teapot
Boiled water

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Add 1 cup of boiling water to your Moroccan teapot and swirl it around. This will help clean the teapot as well as heat it up. Discard the water.
Step 2: Add 2 teaspoons of Moroccan green tea (gunpowder) in the teapot and then add 1 cup of boiled water to the tea. Let it sit for 1 minute, then empty the water into a cup. This is called “the essence of the tea”, which means it contains the first burst of flavors from the tea leaves.
Step 3: Add another cup of boiling water to the teapot, swirl around, then pour it into a cup. You will notice that this one is much darker than the other one. This step is to clean the tea leaves now that they opened up after the first contact with boiling water. This cup of water will not be used for drinking.
Step 4: Pour back into the teapot the first cup of tea “the essence of the tea” then add boiling water to the teapot until it is three-quarters full. Put on medium heat, and bring the water to a boil.
Step 5: Remove the teapot from the heat and immediately add a large bunch of fresh Moroccan mint (Nana) and sugar. Usually, Moroccan mint tea is supposed to be very sweet.
Step 6: Mix all the ingredients by pouring the tea into a glass and then pouring it back into the teapot. Repeat this step, ideally three times.
Now, serve the traditional way by holding the teapot high above the glass, to get the distinctive foamy bubbles.

NOTES

To get the bubbles, the tea server should lift the pot high up when pouring the tea : )
For the tea, if you can’t find a Moroccan brand, just use any Chinese gunpowder green tea or regular tea leaves.
The authentic way of making Moroccan tea is to add the mint after you boil the tea to prevent the taste of burned mint leaves.

What do you need to make Moroccan mint tea?

Even though you can play around with different ingredients to make Moroccan mint tea, an authentic version requires these basic and essential ingredients:

Fresh mint is called Nana in Morocco. In winter, which is not the season of mint, we can replace it with a few leaves of Absinthium, or Za’atar.
Sugar is an essential ingredient in Moroccan mint tea. You can always abstain from using it but it won’t taste as good as the super sweet Moroccan tea.
Enough boiled water
Moroccan stainless steel teapot. Highly recommended for an authentic Moroccan mint tea

The procedure of making Moroccan tea is considered an art that should be preserved. These preparations are usually done by men and are common during special occasions such as welcoming guests and having celebrations.

First of all, the women in the house prepare all the ingredients: sugar, gunpowder tea, and fresh mint in front of the tea maker, usually an elderly man in the house.

The man should start the ceremony by washing his hands and then cleaning the tea by rinsing it in boiled water and then adding mint and sugar to the tea already in the pot and filling it with water.

To give the tea a strong taste, they put it on low to medium heat for a few minutes, and then it’s time to serve it with some Moroccan homemade sweets and pastries.

Serving tea to the guests is somehow another unique tradition in Morocco. The tea server should make sure the teacup is almost half full, and make white bubbles on the surface. That’s actually how you know a good cup of tea from a bad one.

Tea is really important for Moroccans as a daily drink. Therefore, wasting neither tea nor time is not an option for them.

One pot of tea can be served up to 3 times by just filling it with water, adding more sugar and mint then straight to the fire. 3 minutes later another full pot of tea is ready for serving.

The Moroccan tea ceremony isn’t just about tea, though. It’s about sharing and socializing with one another. People spend hours of their days just drinking tea, laughing, and gossiping.

How to flavor Moroccan mint tea?

In addition to the mint, Moroccans use other herbs and spices to flavor their cup of tea. In fact, the consumption of other herbal drinks has been present in Morocco for centuries even before the appearance of the tea. So, I think that’s why herbs and flavors found their way to the Moroccan mint tea.

This could have resulted in the fusion of old and new traditions to produce what is now known and loved as Moroccan mint tea.

Some of the herbs that are commonly used in Morocco mint tea are absinthium, verbena, marjoram, and sage which are used to prepare tea specifically in the North of Morocco. While Southern people prefer to use a pinch of Saffron and some Aniseed instead

Other herbs such as rose petals and nuts are used on more intimate occasions such as weddings and other special events.

How Moroccan mint tea is served in Morocco?

Moroccan mint tea is traditionally made and served with a Moroccan tea set which includes an elaborate silver tray with three silver containers of tea, mint, and sugar. These ingredients are ready to be mixed into the hot water.

There is also a separate tray that has the traditional teapot and glasses. This tray will be used to pour and serve the tea.

The teapots are usually made in silver and decorated with engravings. These engraved Moroccan teapots are beautiful but they are generally saved for guests and special occasions.

Moroccans make mint tea 3 to 4 times a day so they need simpler and more practical teapots. Many opt for something sturdy and easy to clean.

In more traditional areas in Morocco, the tea service set can include a handwashing set for guests and the person making the tea. The set is called “Ghessal” which is a water jug and large bowl. The host places the bowl under your hands and slowly pours water over your hands so that you can wash them.

What do you have Moroccan tea with

Moroccan tea can be enjoyed alone or with some of the delicious Moroccan homemade sweets (Zlabia, Chebakia, Makroud) homemade Moroccan pancakes (Msemen, Beghrir, Betbout), or organic nuts, dates, and figs. Moroccan tea can be served also with food during lunch or dinner.

What to avoid when making Moroccan Mint Tea

Don’t use too much tea

All too often people with no clue think that the key to a strong cup of Moroccan tea is loads of tea. Use a moderate amount, see out notes above, and boil the tea longer to get stronger tea. By adding too much tea to your water you will mess up all the proportions, resulting in a bad cup of tea.

Don’t boil your mint

Your fresh mint is meant to be added in right at the end. The last thing you want to do is burn your mint. This mistake will kill the fresh mint aroma in your tea.

Use a little extra sugar

We are in no way promoting the excessive use of sugar. However, the strong taste of the mint and boiled tea need to be tamed with a fair amount of sugar. That is how Moroccan tea is supposed to be made.

Don’t drink alone!

Okay, this last one is not as serious. Still, Moroccan Mint Tea is best enjoyed with company. Call a friend over and get that pot boiling. That is the way!