How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea With Fresh Herbs (2023)

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Moroccan mint tea combines Chinese gunpowder green tea with fresh mint to create this famously delicious tea. Easy to make hot or iced!

How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea With Fresh Herbs (1)

Moroccan mint tea is a refreshing North African recipe with only four ingredients. Deliciously brewed Chinese gunpowder green tea is blended with fresh mint and cane sugar. Simmered together, it makes the most incredible Mint Tea. This is an easy recipe to make hot or iced.

Moroccan Tea

The Moroccans have elevated the art of making this tea to performance for their guests. The ceremony is the epitome of Moroccan elegance; it's a way of life and a gesture of hospitality extended through friendship and tradition.

How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea With Fresh Herbs (2)

Also called Maghrebi mint tea, British merchants introduced Chinese gunpowder green tea to Morocco in the 1860s.

The traditional Moroccan teapot is beautiful, curvy, and elegant, with the perfect spout for that high ceremonial pour. Although it's nice to have, mainly when serving guests., it's not essential to create this delightfully sweet and refreshing beverage.

How to Make The Best Moroccan Mint Tea

I will show you an effortless and delicious way to make Mint Tea, but I wanted you to see how beautiful the ceremony is when traditionally made.

I brew mine on the stovetop in a spouted saucepan. I wouldn't serve it this way, of course. Once brewed, transfer to a lovely serving teapot.

The decorative small glass cups, known as "keesan," are another part of the entire tradition. Special Moroccan Tea glasses are beautifully ornate and colorful. Again, use what you have on hand for an elegant presentation for your guests. These Moroccan tea glasses from Amazon are beautiful for serving tea to guests if you want an authentic feel.

I'm a black tea drinker of the traditional British style of tea. But the addition of mint takes tea to a whole new level. Yes, it's sweet, and I'm OK with that. The mint makes it pleasantly refreshing.

Traditionally served hot, it makes an excellent iced tea in the summertime. Try it over ice!

Essential Ingredients:

  • A fresh sprig of mint
  • Chinese gunpowder tea
  • Hot water
  • Sugar

What Kind of Mint in Moroccan Tea?

There are several varieties of mint available to use in cooking and beverages. Fresh spearmint is found most commonly in food stores and is the most popular choice for mint tea. You can also find easy-to-grow mint at nurseries or farmers' markets.

Fresh mint sprigs give the best flavor, which is my preference, but you can use dried mint leaves found in the grocery store's spice section. Once you've tried your homebrewed mint tea, you will never return to teabags!

Three Ways To Make Moroccan Mint Tea

How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea With Fresh Herbs (3)

Quick and Easy Tips to Make Mint Tea Three Different Ways:

1. The traditional ceremonial method is shown in the video below. A handful of fresh mint is placed in a Moroccan tea pot along with the Chinese green tea, cane sugar, and hot water.

2. The simple stovetop brew with fresh mint leaves in the recipe I've included here.

How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea With Fresh Herbs (4)

3. If the first two methods are too time-consuming for you or you want a quick cup of Mint Tea, you can buy it already blended for you from The Tea Spot.

I received samples of this tea, and it is delicious. It's a nice balanced blend without any bitterness or overpowering mint flavor. But truthfully, nothing outshines the delicious authentic taste of fresh mint.

If you use fresh mint and buy the Chinese gunpowder green loose tea by itself, it couldn't be easier to brew them together.

Authentic Moroccan Mint Tea

Cooking with Alia is a website all about Moroccan cooking. Watch this beautiful video on authentic Moroccan Tea prepared the traditional way. If you have two minutes, it's worth watching.

Gunpowder Green Tea

How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea With Fresh Herbs (5)

Zhu Cha is the Chinese name for gunpowder green tea. A quality gunpowder green tea will have glossy green little pellets of consistent size with a vegetal fragrance. The liquor is a pale yellow with a tinge of green to deep gold.

Chinese gunpowder green tea is an even rolled, pellet-shaped leaf with a smooth, nutty flavor. Using gunpowder green tea is critical for an authentic Morrocan Mint Tea experience.

During production, gunpowder green tea is heated in a tumbler, creating small pellets resembling gunpowder, hence the name. Tumble drying is a common firing practice in producing moderate to high-quality tea.

Most gunpowder tea is mechanically processed, but some may still be hand processed and hand-rolled, though it's rare.

Related:

  • Six Classifications of Tea
  • 10 Best Online Tea Shops
  • Tea Lovers Guide to The Best Green Tea
  • 15 Best Classic Iced Tea Recipes

Of all the green teas, gunpowder tea's sweet, robust flavor is the most liked. It's easy to brew and very forgiving, tolerating a range of water temperatures without turning bitter. The pellet shape allows it to retain its fresh flavor better.

The pellets should be more rounded than crumpled and a little springy in good quality gunpowder tea. Compression should not make them crumble.

The flavor should be clean and nutty with a light toastiness and vegetal notes. It might be over-processed or over-brewed if it tastes too smokey or bitter.

Moroccan Mint Tea Benefits

How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea With Fresh Herbs (6)
  • Mint has long been used to calm the digestive tract. It relaxes the digestive tract muscles and improves bile flow from the gallbladder, which helps the body digest fats.
  • For this reason, mint is often used for indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Mint tea is often used for colds and coughs to thin mucous and relieve a stuffy nose.
  • Green tea has many known health benefits, including powerful antioxidants.
  • Some studies have shown that green tea increases metabolism, helps weight loss, and reduces bad cholesterol.
  • The Top 10 Health Benefits of Tea has more information on the benefits of tea.

Morrocan Mint Tea Recipe

Recipe

How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea With Fresh Herbs (7)

Moroccan Mint Tea

Mary Ann Rollano

Moroccan mint tea is a blend of Chinese gunpowder green tea with fresh mint to create the famous Moroccan mint tea.

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4 cups

Calories 47 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Bring 4 cups of water to 190° F (88°C). Set aside.

  • Place the tea leaves and the mint leaves in a pot. Add the hot water and steep for 5 minutes.

  • Strain the tea into a saucepan and add the sugar. Stir and bring to a simmer overmedium heat for 5 minutes. This caramelizes the sugar.

  • Remove from heat and pourthe sweetened tea into ateapot for serving.

  • Pour into cups or decorative glasses.

  • To create a froth, pourfrom a height of 12 inches. Begin low and slowly raise the height of the teapot as you pour.

  • Garnish with mint and enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 4gCalories: 47kcalCarbohydrates: 12gSodium: 13mgSugar: 11gVitamin A: 65IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.1mg

Keyword Moroccan Mint Tea

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Where to Buy Gunpowder Green Tea

These are some of my favorite shops to purchase quality loose leaf teas online. They never disappoint!

Adagio Tea

Gunpowder green tea from Zhejiang province, China. Full-bodied cup with a hint of smokiness and a smooth mouthfeel.

The Tea Spot

A premium loose leaf gunpowder tea from China. Tastes bold & lightly smoky. Higher in caffeine than most green teas (35-40 mg/8 oz serving).

Palais des Thes

Rolled into little pearls is used to prepare traditional Moroccan mint tea. Intense and astringent, fresh and thirst-quenching.

Kusmi Tea

In Zhejiang province in China, Gunpowder Green Tea is the traditional base for mint tea. Its leaves are dried after harvesting to stave off fermentation, then rolled into pellets resembling gunpowder.

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How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea With Fresh Herbs (8)

FAQs

How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea With Fresh Herbs? ›

Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea

Steep: To your teapot with the cleaned gunpowder green tea leaves, add fresh mint and sugar. Fill the pot with remaining boiling water, allowing tea to steep for 5 minutes. Serve: Pour tea into serving glasses from a height, which creates a frothy “head” on top of each glass.

How do you make Moroccan mint tea? ›

Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea

Steep: To your teapot with the cleaned gunpowder green tea leaves, add fresh mint and sugar. Fill the pot with remaining boiling water, allowing tea to steep for 5 minutes. Serve: Pour tea into serving glasses from a height, which creates a frothy “head” on top of each glass.

What type of tea is used in Moroccan mint tea? ›

If you've never had Moroccan mint tea, this beverage is made by steeping green tea with a generous handful of spearmint leaves—sometimes also made with other types of mint or herbs—and traditionally served in small glass cups.

What herbs are in Moroccan tea? ›

Spearmint, peppermint, pennyroyal, and shiso mint are all used to make Moroccan tea.

Is Moroccan mint good for tea? ›

Moroccan Mint Tea Soothes the Mind & Nerves

Moroccan mint tea, especially when infused with green tea leaves, contains an amino acid called l-Theanine. This compound is known to raise your levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of relaxation and calmness.

What kind of mint do they use in Morocco? ›

Moroccan mint is botanically classified as Mentha spicata var. cripsa 'Moroccan' and it is a spearmint. Moroccan mint is a hardy and bushy perennial with a wide variety of culinary uses, but it is most commonly used for making tea. For thousands of years, mint has been cultivated for medicinal use.

What is in traditional Moroccan tea? ›

The ingredients are fresh mint, sugar, water and gunpowder tea. Gunpowder tea is a type of green Chinese tea in which each leaf has been rolled into a small round pellet. When the round pellets are hydrated they become surprisingly large, take a look it, it's fun!

Is Moroccan mint tea spearmint or peppermint? ›

Peppermint is the main ingredient of Moroccan Mint tea. Morocco is the largest producer of peppermint in the world – 92.7% of the total world production[6].

When should I drink Moroccan mint tea? ›

In the Arab world, mint tea will typically only be served after a meal, however Moroccan tea is served throughout the day and may be offered to guests at any time. It not only represents hospitality, it's also deeply rooted in their tradition so it would be considered an insult if you were to refuse it.

Why do they drink mint tea in Morocco? ›

The mint tea holds a very important place in the life and the social relations in Morocco: it is indeed the drink of the friendship and the hospitality. We propose and drink it when we meet, with family, friends, colleagues, customers… It is usually prepared in front of guests.

What are traditional Moroccan ingredients? ›

Key ingredients: Moroccan
  • Couscous. Couscous is known as a gift from Allah and is a staple of North African countries. ...
  • Saffron. Saffron is the stigma of the crocus flower and also the world's most expensive spice. ...
  • Cinnamon. ...
  • Cumin. ...
  • Sweet paprika. ...
  • Orange blossom water. ...
  • Preserved lemons. ...
  • Harissa.
Sep 6, 2013

What is the best tea in the world Morocco? ›

The most famous tea from Morocco is the Moroccan Mint Tea, also known as Maghrebi Mint Tea.

How is Moroccan mint tea different? ›

The Moroccan Mint Tea or Thé Marocain (also Thé Maroc) differs from the regular mint tea found in the West in that the mint leaves are steeped alongside green tea. This is no ordinary green tea but specifically a type of green tea called gunpowder tea.

What is the best mint herb for tea? ›

Peppermint or spearmint are classic choices, but other varieties will work just as well. You can even use a mixture of them. While you can use dried mint for tea, it doesn't compare to the flavor of fresh herbs. Serve it hot or iced, sweetened or unsweetened, and with or without lemon.

Why do Arabs drink mint tea? ›

Mint tea (Arabic: شاي بالنعناع, romanized: šāy bi-l-naʿnāʿ) is commonly used to get over colds, a sore throat, sinus congestion, and stomach ulcers. Seasonal allergies can also be treated by drinking cups of tea containing rosmarinic acid: an anti-inflammatory agent found in mint.

Does Moroccan mint tea make you sleepy? ›

Moroccan mint tea for better sleep

Taking it before bed may help you relax; it could be the perfect tea for those with sleeping disorders. Many know it as an anti-stress tea that contains anti-inflammatory properties to relax your body, encourage sleep, and improve your overall sleep quality.

How do you harvest Moroccan Mint? ›

To harvest mint leaves individually just pick them off the stems with your fingers. To harvest mint for storing or drying, cut the stems just above a set of leaves.

Why is Moroccan tea poured from a height? ›

Pouring the tea from a height is thought to cool the tea, aerate the water through the bubbles after pouring, or give the tea texture through the little bubbles that characterise each sip. As a guest in Morocco, there will always be a glass of sweet, honey-hued Moroccan tea nearby.

What are traditional Moroccan herbs? ›

The ten spices that are the most important to Moroccan cuisine are: Cayenne (felfla), cinnamon (karfa), turmeric (quekoum), ginger (skinjbir), black pepper (elbezar), aniseed (nafaa), seaseme seeds (jinjelan), cumin (kamoon), paprika (felfla hlouwa), and saffron (zafrane).

What do Arabs put in their tea? ›

This comforting and simple steeped mint tea recipe uses only four ingredients including: water, black loose-leaf tea, fresh mint, and sugar or honey. Learn how to make and serve Arabic tea as they do in Egypt and parts of the Middle East.

How do you pour tea like a Moroccan? ›

Most importantly, you shouldn't mix the tea with a teaspoon as in Western culture. Amalgamation occurs through the repetition of pouring the tea from the teapot into a tea glass at a height until a layer of foam forms on the surface of the tea. The higher the tea is poured, the more foam forms.

What is Moroccan mint good for? ›

Moroccan Mint tea contains menthol, a known anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and analgesic that soothe the respiratory tract. If you are struggling in between breaths or are cooped up in your bed because of a stubborn cold, a warm Moroccan Mint tea brew is just what you need.

Is fresh mint tea better than dried? ›

While dried mint and mint tea are both “minty,” their flavors are not the same. With most delicate herbs, including basil and parsley, we'd never opt for the dried kind over fresh, as drying removes many of their volatile flavor components.

What is Marrakech mint tea? ›

A refreshing blend of gunpowder green tea and organic spearmint. Its crisp flavor also makes for an invigorating iced tea. A refreshing blend of gunpowder green tea and organic spearmint. Its crisp flavor also makes for an invigorating iced tea. Caffeine: MEDIUM.

What is Moroccan mint tea made of? ›

What is Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea Made of? To make Moroccan mint tea, the only ingredients you will need are gunpowder loose tea, a generous amount of fresh mint leaves, a few aromatics (optional), and sugar. Traditional Moroccan mint tea is very very sweet.

Is Moroccan mint tea black or green? ›

Is Moroccan Tea Green or Black? Morocco's world-famous mint tea, is traditionally prepared by infusing green tea with a large amount of spearmint.

Is there caffeine in Moroccan mint tea? ›

Moroccan Mint Tea Caffeine

So long as your favourite beverage contains Green Tea leaves, then, it also has caffeine. But what is the Moroccan Mint Tea caffeine level? On average, an 8-oz cuppa of it has around 30-mg of this constituent.

Do Moroccans like a lot of sugar in their tea? ›

Sugar is the key element. The sweeter the tea is, the more you are respected as a guest, according to custom. Moroccans don't understand sugar-free anything, but if you want a mint tea that isn't so syrupy that a spoon can stand in the glass, ask for the three Bs: bla bzucar bzaf (without a lot of sugar).

What is the difference between Moroccan mint and spearmint? ›

Moroccan mint is a variety of the classic spearmint, mentha spicata. The nomenclature of Moroccan mint is Mentha spicata 'nanah'. Widely used in North Africa and the Middle East, spearmint is adapted to drier climates than spearmint.

Does mint tea have healing properties? ›

May boost the immune system

Peppermint oil contains compounds which are said to have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, all helpful to aid the immune system. Mint might also help to fight infections of the upper respiratory tract and help relieve a stuffy nose.

What is the national drink of Morocco? ›

Mint tea is Morocco's national beverage and favourite pastime. Steeped in ritual and ceremony, it is always served to a guest when in a home or shop. Even a family without electricity, furniture, or an adequate roof will likely own a silver tray and pot for serving tea.

What is Morocco's national dish? ›

Couscous

What better way to start this Moroccan food guide than with couscous, Morocco's national dish? It refers to a widely consumed Maghrebi dish of small durum wheat semolina granules.

What is the No 1 tea in the world? ›

Black Tea: The Most Consumed Tea Globally

The most popular black tea in the world is Assam tea, which is grown in the Assam region of India and is known for its strong, malty flavor.

What is the most delicious tea in the world? ›

10 Best Rated Teas in the World
  • Matcha. JAPAN. shutterstock. ...
  • Sencha. JAPAN. shutterstock. ...
  • Pu Erh. Yunnan. China. ...
  • Green Tea. CHINA. shutterstock. ...
  • Black Tea. Fujian. China. ...
  • Darjeeling. Darjeeling District. India. ...
  • Ceylon Black Tea. SRI LANKA. shutterstock. ...
  • Longjing Tea. Zhejiang. China. shutterstock.
Mar 30, 2023

Which country is number 1 in tea? ›

Unsurprisingly China is top of the charts as the spiritual home of the humble cuppa and tops the list as the world's largest tea producing country. China produces some 40% of the world's tea weighing in at 2.4 million tonnes.

Is it good to drink fresh mint tea everyday? ›

Share on Pinterest It is safe to drink peppermint tea multiple times a day. A person can drink peppermint tea throughout the day. Peppermint tea is naturally caffeine-free, which means that it will not keep a person awake at night.

Is mint tea better in the morning or night? ›

Because peppermint tea is naturally free of caffeine, you can drink it at any time of day. Enjoy it as a post-meal treat to aid digestion, in the afternoon to boost your energy levels, or before bed to help you relax.

Which mint is most medicinal? ›

Peppermint, a hybrid between water mint (M. aquatica) and spearmint, is the preeminent medicinal mint, easily distinguished from spearmint by its menthol fragrance.

What is a Moroccan tea called? ›

Also called Maghrebi tea or Tuareg tea, Moroccan tea is prepared using the Chinese green tea, particularly the tightly curled gunpowder grade. Fresh spearmint leaves are the signature addition that gives Moroccan tea is special taste and flavor.

What does the Moroccan tea symbolize? ›

The symbolism of The Moroccan Tea Ceremony

The Moroccan tea ceremony is very important in the country's culture. The ceremony is often used to welcome guests into one's home. The tea itself is a symbol of hospitality and friendship. The teapot is usually decorated with intricate designs and is placed on a silver tray.

Is Moroccan mint tea served hot or cold? ›

Sweet Moroccan Mint Tea is a staple of North African cuisine and culture, it's easy to make and can be served hot or iced.

What are the side effects of too much mint leaves? ›

Side Effects Of Mint Leaves

Rarely, the consumption of fresh mint leaves or mint oil can cause allergic reactions. When taken in large amounts, the menthol in mint may cause heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, and dry mouth. If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, it is advisable to avoid peppermint.

Does Moroccan mint tea have green tea in it? ›

Experience the exquisite fusion of tradition and flavor with our Moroccan Mint tea, a remarkable green tea with mint that stays true to the beloved classic.

How to make Mountain mint tea? ›

Brewing Instructions: 1 teaspoon tea per 8 ounces of just below boiling water. Infusion time: 3-4 minutes.

Is Moroccan mint tea the same as peppermint tea? ›

Peppermint is the main ingredient of Moroccan Mint tea. Morocco is the largest producer of peppermint in the world – 92.7% of the total world production[6]. Peppermint has anti oxidative properties, may help with freshening breath, aiding digestion and may help with some types of flu.

Do you use the stems of mint for tea? ›

Yes, you can use stems for mint tea too – for less waste.

Do you need to dry mint leaves for tea? ›

Air drying method: The air drying method is best if you are making tea leaves for blends and other herbal infusions. Tie a bunch of dried mint leaves together at the stems with twine. Hang the bunch of herbs upside down in a paper bag, keeping it in a dry place away from direct sunlight.

Does mint need to be dried to make tea? ›

Mint can be easily dried to use for tea leaves. There's really nothing to it. Many people hang their mint to dry but I'm both inpatient and sometimes out of space. With this method below you'll solve all that as your mint will be ready in 2-3 hours.

Is there any caffeine in Moroccan mint tea? ›

Moroccan Mint Tea Caffeine

So long as your favourite beverage contains Green Tea leaves, then, it also has caffeine. But what is the Moroccan Mint Tea caffeine level? On average, an 8-oz cuppa of it has around 30-mg of this constituent.

What is the taste of Moroccan mint tea? ›

Moroccan mint is notoriously sweet — sometimes nauseatingly, overwhelmingly sweet. That strong sugary flavor should be counteracted by using the pungent flavor of mint leaves. In traditional brewing, tea masters use either sugar cones or large blocks to brew large pots of tea.

What is the famous Moroccan tea? ›

The most famous Moroccan tea is Moroccan Mint Tea. Moroccan Mint Tea or Maghrebi mint tea is a symbol of hospitality and generosity and is often consumed when meeting with family, friends, acquaintances, and more.

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