Make Arabic Mint Tea

Moroccan mint tea atay atay is one of the most traditional teas in north africa and prepared with mint leaves and sugar.

Make arabic mint tea.

Strain the tea into cups or heatproof glasses and sweeten with honey to taste. Some people believe that phoenicians brought tea to the area in the 12th century bc. Quite a few varieties of spearmint can be found in morocco depending on the region and time of year. Today i thought i would show you how i grow make and enjoy.

Since this drink is so popular it is served all day long after every meal and with every conversation. Mint tea isn t just a drink in morocco it is a sign of hospitality friendship and tradition. Drop the reserved mint into the cups to decorate if you like. A generous quantity of fresh spearmint leaves na na in moroccan arabic is also essential to mint tea.

Many families serve tea more than once a day and moroccan hospitality dictates that one must always offer mint tea to both drop ins and expected guests. You can mix several different kinds of mint together like spearmint peppermint and chocolate mint to make your own special blend or just keep it simple and stick with one. Arab tea served in the middle east tends to be taken sweet with an almost syrupy consistency. Moroccan teapots vary in size but a small pot typically holds about a half liter six small tea glasses while a larger pot holds approximately a liter 12 glasses.

Mint tea is one of my favorite hot drinks to enjoy on cold rainy days or in the depths of winter. Although one of the most expensive spices in the world cardamom is still fervently harvested by hand for its many arab customers. How to make moroccan tea. While fresh spearmint is the most popular choice for mint tea smaller quantities of dried peppermint leaves or fresh pennyroyal may also.

Originally introduced by english merchants the tea has spread in popularity throughout. Spicy brew boost the infusion with a more assertive spice mix usually at the expense of the mint leaves as the fragrant subtlety is lost once the spices take over. The exact origins of the drink in morocco are unknown with various tales told about how tea first came to the country.