Maghrebi Mint Tea
Maghrebi Mint Tea
Maghrebi mint tea also known as Moroccan mint tea, is a green tea prepared with spearmint leaves and sugar. This tea is as relaxing as invigorating. Makes a delicious, cooling iced tea, but it's just as good in a hot cup. Mix in some honey or enjoy unadorned; you're sure to love this tea.
The tea has become symbolic not only of Moroccan cuisine but also of Moroccan hospitality and culture. Many families serve the markedly sweet beverage several times a day with or without food, and both drop-in and invited companies can expect to be offered tea as a welcoming gesture. While the Moroccan tradition of honoring the guest may be rooted in Islamic etiquette, Moroccans are renowned for elevating that standard of hospitality to an exceptional level. As such, even new acquaintances and unexpected guests will be encouraged to drink glass after glass of tea (to avoid offending the host, it's wise to oblige!), and then pressed to stay on for a full meal.
Ingredients: Gunpowder green tea, Spearmint
Brew: place 1-2 teaspoons of tea per cup of hot water. Steep 2-4min. If tea becomes bitter, steep for a shorter time.
Brew Moroccan Style: Rinse out your teapot with a little water before beginning. Add your Maghrebi Mint Tea to a metal pot and pour in just a little bit of boiling water. Leave it to sit undisturbed for a minute, then pour it out into a tea glass. Note that the tea leaves swell and absorb some of the water, so you won't pour out as much liquid as you poured in. Avoid the temptation to swirl the water around the pot before you pour. This amber-colored liquid is referred to as the "spirit" or "soul" of the tea since it contains full flavor from the water's first contact with the leaves. Save this tea; it will go back into the pot a short while later. Now, pour hot water into the pot one more time. Leave it to sit for a minute, then swirl it around the pot to wash the leaves. Pour out the liquid and discard it. At this point, add more water and the “spirit” and place it on a burner over medium-low to medium heat. Add a generous amount of sugar. Bring the tea to a boil and remove from the stove. Instead of stirring, Moroccan tea is traditionally mixed by pouring the just-steeped tea into a glass and then pouring the tea back into the pot. Repeat this process four or five times. This mixing can be done in the kitchen or in front of guests. Enjoy!
Caffeine Content: 25-30mg per cup.