Moroccan Mint Tea: Best Berber Herbs

The Ultimate Guide to Moroccan Mint Tea: Recipe, Benefits, and Customs:

Every home in Morocco, whether in the coastal city of Tangier or out on the dunes near Merzouga, serves a unique Moroccan beverage known as Moroccan Mint Tea. Regardless of your surroundings, whether you are staying at an upscale riad hotel or living as a nomad out in the Sahara Desert, the traditional offering of a drink of Atay is always a gesture of kindness and respect towards you as a visitor.

Herein, we will discuss the authentic recipe for this refreshing tea along with its many health benefits, and the culture surrounding the famous Moroccan Berber Whiskey.

Why is Moroccan Tea Called Berber Whiskey?

When moving across the Atlas Mountains, you will frequently come across the locals teasingly calling their tea “Berber Whiskey.” Why do Moroccans call their tea “Berber Whiskey”? The name came about owing to the fact that in a nation that does not consume alcohol, tea is the beverage drunk by all. The tea is drunk throughout the day, is amber-colored, and is drunk socially for purposes of contemplation and discussion.

The Silk Road & The British Connection: A Deep History

A closer examination of the development of Moroccan hospitality customs is possible only with an understanding of global trade changes of the 18th and 19th centuries. Despite the long history of Morocco and its herbal tea infusion, the “Tea” element in this combination came to the country due to certain circumstances.

In the context of the Crimean War in the 1850s, British merchants happened to be left with huge excesses of Chinese Gunpowder Green Tea. In addition, because of the closure of Baltic ports, they had to explore new markets, which they managed to find in the ports of Essaouira and Tangier.

It appeared that Moroccans who were already fond of making infusions from wild mint and wormwood discovered that smoke and density of the rolled-up “pearls” of gunpowder tea perfectly combined with local herbs. Thus, it became clear why such a cultural revolution took place when the luxurious product initially used only in the royal palace of the Sultan of Fes reached even the most distant Berber villages of the High Atlas Mountains.

The Science of the “Nana” Mint: Why It Works in the Desert

Moroccan Mint Tea is always served extremely hot for biological reasons, even during the hottest days of summer in the middle of the Sahara desert. This is a frequent inquiry made by guests during our tours of the Mint Tea Experience in Morocco: Why consume hot tea in such 40°C weather?

The Cooling Process

Based on science, consuming hot drinks causes the body’s internal cooling process to begin. The heat receptors present in the mouth notify the brain that it should produce more sweat. Due to the absence of moisture in the environment, the sweat quickly evaporates, providing better cooling results compared to cold beverages.

Spearmint Versus Peppermint

Real recipes use Mentha spicata (spearmint), locally called Naana. Whereas European peppermint features harsh menthol and is used primarily as a breath freshener, the Moroccan version of mint is rich in carvone. This ingredient gives the herb a smooth, sweet taste and also works as an antispasmodic. And this is why Moroccan mint tea helps improve digestion by relaxing stomach muscles, and it is therefore ideal after eating tajine.

 The Ideal Combinations: Which Foods to Pair with Your Atay?

Unlike other countries, Moroccan tea is never taken alone. Therefore, if you want your blog to be the go-to guide on Moroccan tea ceremonies, then you need to consider the complementary foods. These traditional breads and pastries cannot miss from your food itinerary.

Memmen and Baghrir (Breakfast Delights)

Msemmen: Referred to as “Moroccan pancakes,” these crispy, layered pastries are baked in a frying pan. If soaked in a combination of honey and butter, they create the ideal soft bite to compliment a crisp mint tea.

Baghrir: Also known as the “thousand holes pancake,” the airy nature of this dish allows it to absorb sugary syrup. It makes for an ideal accompaniment to a heavy sugar-laden tea.

Tea Sweets” (Pâtisserie Marocaine)

When drinking tea at teatime, a dish of Moroccan cookies would most probably accompany the drink. But they are not just any snacks—they are a fine art.

Kaab el Ghazal (Gazelle Horns): This is the most known treat. Crescent-shaped pastry shells filled with almond paste and orange blossom water. It is because of the citrus flavor of the cookie that complements the flowery flavors of the tea.

Chebakia: Traditionally made during Ramadan time, this sweet honeyed fried dough sprinkled with sesame seeds is very popular among the stalls of the souks in Marrakech. And it is precisely for its sweetness that it requires a super strong tea.

The Authentic Moroccan Mint Tea Recipe

The following is the traditional approach one would have to apply to get that distinctive taste associated with the street market of Fes. The following recipe will involve the use of green tea and other herbs.

• Ingredients:

•  2 tablespoons Chinese Gunpowder Green Tea
• A big bunch of Naana (spearmint)
• 4-5 cups of boiling water
• Traditionally used sugar cones or beetroot sugar to taste

Preparation Steps:

Tea Clean-up: Place the gunpowder tea in the teapot. Pour in one cup of boiled water, allow it to remain there for 30 seconds, and pour it out into a glass. This will be called the “spirit” of tea and must be saved.

Rinsing: Add water again, swirl, and pour out any remaining bitterness in the tea.

Brewing: Replace the “spirit,” fill the pot with boiled water, and heat up over a small flame on the stove.

Mint and Sugar: Add fresh mint leaves and sugar. Don’t stir.

Aeration: Pour out a cup and pour it back into the teapot three times.

Pouring: Pour the tea at a distance of not less than 12 cm to produce froth – this “turban” is obligatory in Moroccan customs of hospitality.

Surprising Moroccan Mint Tea Benefits:

Apart from being delicious, there are several benefits of consuming Moroccan mint tea that can enhance your wellbeing:

Moroccan mint tea is the best choice after eating because it eliminates any bloating feeling and calms the digestive tract.

Brain Functions: The Moroccan mint tea acts on the brain, offering the effect of a clear head.

Respiratory Health: The tea helps to alleviate the effects of congestion, hence soothing the sore throat.

Hydration: Although it contains caffeine, its water content keeps you hydrated despite the scorching sun in the desert.

Experience Tea with Mint Tea Tours

There really is nothing more effective than witnessing first hand all these traditions that make up the hospitable Moroccan culture. The best place for that would be at Mint Tea Tours where we guarantee that you will be getting an authentic experience away from the ordinary tourist attractions. From Fes medina tours to sun setting trips in Merzouga, expect to have the best tea at home like settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Moroccan mint tea:

What is the best time to drink Moroccan Mint Tea?

There is no wrong time to enjoy Moroccan Mint Tea; it is served following every meal and when a visitor arrives in a house or business place in Morocco.

Is Moroccan tea always served sweet?

Even though the Moroccan mint tea recipe includes lots of sugar, it is increasingly common nowadays for people who visit Morocco to ask for tea with “shwiya” sugar or without sugar.

Can I use peppermint instead of spearmint?

Though peppermint is also possible, Moroccan Mint Tea calls for the use of spearmint (Mentha spicata) due to its distinctively sweet and mellow scent.

Why do Moroccans pour tea from such a high position?

This action incorporates air into the tea, resulting in a thin layer of foam that develops at the top of the liquid.