The preparation of tea in Morocco is a tradition that dates back to the 12th century BC. There are various theories about the origins of this beverage; it seems the Berbers imported tea from Asia, or that Queen Anne, Queen of Great Britain, introduced the drink, serving it to the Moroccan sultan as a ploy to free British prisoners.
Each cup of Moroccan tea contains three main ingredients: tea leaves, the Gunpowder variety, sugar and spearmint.
Although mint tea is used excessively, The plant is not grown in Morocco , but the raw material is imported from China .
Although it is an equivalent of green tea, it has a stronger flavor , when mixed with fresh mint, the smoky taste gives the tea a unique flavor.
To enhance the flavor of tea, Moroccans use sugar, the flavor tends to be pungent and stronger.
The third ingredient is spearmint, which, due to its pungent and delicate aroma, is the traditional choice in preparing tea.
The mint tea ritual in Morocco
One of the pillars of Moroccan culture is Moroccan mint tea, also known as " Berber whisky " or " Maghreb mint tea ." The drink is sipped at all hours of the day and in particular situations such as, when you welcome guests into your home , when you celebrate a wedding ceremony, a birth or a funeral or when sharing meals together: in Morocco, tea is sipped 20 or even 30 times during the day.
Refusing to drink a cup of tea is considered rude and a cultural taboo , because preparing a cup of tea in Morocco does not simply mean boiling water and adding mint leaves, but represents a ceremonial art that is passed down from generation to generation.
The ritual of tea at sunset among the desert dunes of Essaouira is famous, necessary to gather strength, admire the natural beauty and enjoy moments of serenity.
Moroccan teapot
To prepare a good mint tea you need to have the traditional Moroccan teapot , because unlike a common ceramic teapot, the Moroccan one resists high temperatures, in direct contact with the heat of the stove for a few minutes.
The teapot shouldn't have legs, but it should have a flat base to be compatible with most stovetops. Handcrafted teapots are heavy and durable, with precise, beautiful engravings. They cost more but last a lifetime.
Tea preparation
To prepare the tea, place two teaspoons of tea beans in a traditional teapot. Add a handful of fresh mint tea and herbs of your choice, along with sugar.
Boiling water is poured into the teapot to heat it, then it's left on the stove with sugar and herbs for a few minutes. The liquid is then removed from the teapot and poured into a glass.
Boiling water is added to the teapot for a second rinse, removing the bitterness from the tea. This water should be discarded and only the first extraction, which was set aside, should be used.
To mix all the ingredients, take the first glass of water and pour it into the teapot, then pour it back into the glass, and then pour it back into the teapot. This process should be repeated two or three times to obtain a good Moroccan tea. Never stir the mixture with a teaspoon, as this could burn the herbs.
Moroccan cups
The Moroccan cups are made of glass, embellished with beautiful Colorful decorations. The cups are small because in Morocco, it's customary to sip tea in small quantities ; even drinking it requires a ritual. Tea should be savored, enjoyed, and every moment spent enjoying it should be a treat, both for oneself and for one's guests.
Arabic tea
The Arabic tea contributes to good health. In Morocco, where temperatures are high , hot tea is drunk even in summer, because consuming hot beverages cools the body. Furthermore, Arabic tea contains many antioxidants that can increase physical endurance, aid digestion, and inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Then there are aromatic plants with healing properties, such as thyme , a vermifuge that helps eliminate bad bacteria, strengthens the intestinal lining and reduces inflammation.
Otherwise, to give the tea a floral taste, there are those who add the geranium which has relaxing properties, lemon verbena instead it gives a feeling of freshness.
Some aromatic plants that are added to Moroccan mint tea are dried flowers, like rose petals, or to enrich the herbal tea with a fruity aroma, add lemon zest, orange blossom-flavored water, or orange peel directly.
