Morrocan Maghrebi Mint Tea
We’ve been traveling with our baby since his 3rd week of life. We love it. But what do you do when you can’t travel? My solution is to get out of the house and have a Maghrebi mint tea from another continent/country.
I always wanted to go to Morocco, but I haven’t gotten there yet but I found Morocco in a cup – more specifically, a Touareg Teacup.
Also known as Maghrebi mint tea, this brew is a combination of green tea, mint leaves and a generous amount of sugar.
Tea represents the basis of Moroccan hospitality. They offer it to guests, family, children, anytime and anywhere.
Even casual business meetings are held over a pot of tea.
This particular brew is served by being poured from up high into slim glasses (Casablanca type glasses – ironic, huh?) and it is served three times to the guests.
They even have a proverb for it:
The first glass is as gentle as life; second one is as strong as love and the third glass is as bitter as death.
Refusing any of these is considered highly disrespectful so if you ever decide to try it, be prepared to suck it up!
Being a mixture of green and mint tea, it is an amazing antioxidant!
It helps to improve digestion and reduces anxiety.
Touareg tea has a very specific brewing method:
- In a metal teapot, add about 1 tbsp of gunpowder green tea leaves and pour a few tablespoons of boiling water on top of the leaves.
- Let the leaves soak briefly, then swirls the pot to rinse the leaves and discard the water.
- Add one handful of mint tea leaves and 3-4 tbsp of sugar, pour like 1/2 a liter of boiled water on top and steep for 5 minutes.
- Gently stir the tea and serve.
Although sounds fairly simple, I would recommend you drink this in a Moroccan café so you get the full experience.
What a magical brew, eh?
Ever since I was little, my mum taught me that I can travel through books – I think she said this just to give me something to do *insert laughing emoji here*.
Growing up, I read about all sorts of stuff, including drinks and how they allow you to experience different cultures without actually being there.
So get your walking shoes on, enter Moroccan tea house in Maps or Waze or whatever you use and come meet me! I’ll be in the teapot in front of you saying – isn’t Morocco gorgeous?
Till next time!
Love, Ale.