Tea Time, Arabic Style!
Berber Hospitality in the Form of Tea, Coffee and Cakes on a Tray
The delicate glasses are beautiful without the tea, but try this staple of Moroccan hospitality for a refreshing taste of mint.
Serve At Your Next Event
Whether you host a Hafla or want to serve a refreshing drink to your friends in an informal get together – the ubiquitous tea served throughout Morocco for all occasions is the perfect way to delight your guests.
In Morocco
Tea is served to guests, and it is impolite to refuse the offering of this refreshing drink.
“Mint tea isn’t just a drink in Morocco. It is a sign of hospitality and friendship and tradition. Because this beverage is so popular, it is served all day long, after every meal and with every conversation. Moroccans take great pride in their tea and will often ask a visitor who among their group of friends makes the best cup of mint tea.”
-from recipe contributor ‘Sackville’
This Moroccan tea is served in a small, often decorated, tea glass. People unfamiliar with the Moroccan for of the tea glass are surprised by its small size.
By browsing through some examples of the Moroccan tea glass, we can find out more of Moroccan tea culture, and the importance of hospitality in the Near East.
Begin your own Ritual
You will need:
- A teapot to brew the tea
- Glasses to serve the beverage
- A tray for the drinks and their accompanying sweets
For the tea, itself:
- Light flavored tea such as green or white
- Fresh mint leaves
- Boiling water
- Sugar
“Tea is almost always made in front of the guests so that the tea set and service can be admired. Moroccan teapots have long, curved pouring spouts that allow the tea to be poured into even the tiniest of glasses from a height of 2 or more feet. Moroccans like their tea lightly flavored with herbs. The most popular herbs added to tea are mint, lemon grass, and sometimes orange blossom.
Moroccan Mint Tea is generally made by brewing a gunpowder tea mixed with mint (1 teaspoon tea per cup). Gunpowder tea is Chinese green tea rolled into small pellets, which look like old-fashioned gunpowder. The Chinese call it zucha or pearl tea for the same reason. Rolling the tea leaves into balls helps to preserve the flavor. The offering of a glass of green tea with mint is a symbol of friendship, welcome and hospitality.” -from Emeril Lagasse
Make The Right Tea
Try white tea pearls
One of the finest teas, enjoyed on its own or prepared as an ingredient in Moroccan Mint. This is the type that Chef Emeril describes. This is a fine quality tea that will be worthy of your guests, and a comforting cup to enjoy any time of day.
Moroccan Tea is Served
Tea glasses and small metal tea pot
How to Prepare Moroccan Tea
“Fresh mint leaves and some tea leaves and a LOT of sugar are put in the bottom of the pot, hot water poured on top. After a few minutes of steeping, your hostess will pour some of the tea into a glass, and immediately she will pour it from the glass back into the pot. This is repeated until she feels the tea is perfect. Only then will she serve each of her guests a glass of hot sweet mint tea.”- Reflections from the Fence
Moroccan Mint Tea
Moroccan Mint Tea
Moroccan Hospitality – Sweet Tea, Flavor, and Flair
photo by Nick Saltmarsh
The Moroccan Tea Glass – A small glass serving generous hospitality
The Moroccan tea glass is small compared to the American version. American tea glasses are tall and used for iced tea with lots of ice.
The ritual of this North African country is quite different from the casual sweet iced tea of our culture, and has a tea service all its own. Moroccan tea is served hot in quite small, beautifully decorated, tea glasses. Very collectible!
Moroccan Culture
It is idyllic to share a pot of mint tea at a small table on the side of the road. It is a ceremonial bonding experience in a private home.
Use Fresh Mint Leaves
Start with some fresh mentha leaves
Fresh Mint
Be sure you have fresh mint to make the tea. Although some recipes call for dried mint. Fresh mint will add a lovely green tint, and the flavor is better. Mint plants are surprisingly easy to grow. A pot on the windowsill, or a patch by the back door will provide you with leaves fresh during the growing season and easy to freeze for winter use.
Can Mint Tea Heal You? From pure herbal concoctions to mint infused green teas, there are many ways to enjoy the healthful benefits of the mint plant.
Antique, pretty, tea glass photo by dukpix on Flickr
- Prep time: 5 min
- Cook time: 5 min
- Ready in: 10 min
- Yields: 2-4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Green Tea leaves, or white tea
- 1 large handful fresh washed
- spearmint leaves
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions
- Boil at least 2 cups of water. Rinse a small teapot with about 1/4 cup of the water.
- Add the tea leaves and another 1/4 cup boiling water. Swirl the pot to wash and rinse the leaves, and pour out the water.
- Add the mint leaves and the sugar, and fill the pot with about 2 cups boiling water. Leave the tea to steep for five minutes or longer, or set the tea pot over medium-low heat and bring the tea to a simmer. Remove from the heat, and allow to steep several minutes more.
- Gently stir the tea, pour into small tea glasses and serve.
Serve Your Guests
Moroccan tea service photo by rieorie on Flickr
Pastries play an important role in Moroccan society because they are an essential complement to mint tea when welcoming guests into your home. -The art of Moroccan cuisine.
Serve and Display – This serving tray is ideal for your tea glasses
Moroccan Tea Tray Serving Cocktail Silver Handmade Fez Large Oval High Quality
Complete your tea service with this silver tray. Lovely way to serve tea and display the decorative glasses or offer the requisite pastries.
Ideas for using your Moroccan Tea Glasses
DECORATIVE COLLECTIBLES HOLD MORE THAN TEA
“Moroccan tea glasses are tiny cups with bright POPS of color. They would look lovely as a flower display at your reception or bridal shower, as a chic dessert presentation or a unique way to light up the room with candles inside.” – Emmeline Bride
Start Your Collection
…OF THIS DECORATIVE GLASSWARE
When you can’t make up your mind! Sparkling gold give an elegant look to your decor.
Others to consider?
A very traditional color is Moroccan Red, it makes your set of tea glasses a warm addition to any room- for tea or as votive candle holders.
A cobalt blue color with metallic accents is striking. Filigree border with a stylish modern color design.
View How the Tea Is Brewed
– And poured into the tea glass – it is an art.
What panache! This would certainly impress your friends, so learn how to make real Moroccan tea and have fun serving everyone (after a little practice, of course)
