Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

MoroccanAuthentic Cuisine

Mint Tea

Serves 6 Beverage vegetarian, Beverages

Mint Tea

Mint tea, or "atay b'naanaa," is a cornerstone of Moroccan hospitality, marking moments of welcome, negotiation, and repose. This ubiquitous beverage is crafted with gunpowder green tea, fresh spearmint, and sugar, creating a drink that both refreshes and revives. Whether shared in the bustle of a marketplace or the quiet of a home, it invites conversation and connection with every pour.

The flavor journey of mint tea is as layered as its tradition: from the first bitter sip to the final sweet note. The tea is poured from a height to produce a frothy crown, a gesture that is as much about aeration as it is about the elegance of serving. Enjoying three glasses is customary, each representing a unique taste experience that accompanies the rhythm of Moroccan life.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbspChinese gunpowder green tea
  • 1 large bunchfresh spearmint
  • 3–5 tbspsugar — to taste
  • 1 L (4 cups)boiling water

Method

  1. Start by placing 1 tablespoon of Chinese gunpowder green tea into a heatproof teapot. Bring your kettle to a boil and pour a small splash of the boiling water over the tea leaves. Swirl the pot gently to rinse the leaves, then carefully discard this rinse water. This step removes any impurities and primes the leaves for steeping.
  2. Now, add 1 liter (4 cups) of boiling water to the teapot with the rinsed tea leaves. Place the pot over low heat and allow the tea to steep for 2–3 minutes. This gentle heat helps the tea leaves unfurl and release their flavor without becoming bitter.
  3. While the tea is steeping, take a large bunch of fresh spearmint and wash it thoroughly under cold running water. Gently shake off excess water and add the mint directly into the teapot. The mint should fill the pot, releasing its aroma as it wilts in the hot water.
  4. Add 3 to 5 tablespoons of sugar to the teapot, adjusting the amount to your taste preference. Stir gently to help the sugar dissolve completely. The sugar balances the astringency of the tea and enhances the mint's freshness.
  5. To mix the tea thoroughly, pour the liquid into a glass and then back into the pot. Repeat this process a couple of times. This aerates the tea, blending the flavors evenly and creating a slight froth.
  6. Finally, serve the tea in small glasses. Pour from a height to create a frothy top, a signature of Moroccan mint tea. The tea should be a vibrant amber color, with a strong minty aroma. Enjoy the tea while it's hot, as the flavors are most pronounced when freshly brewed.
Cover of Authentic Moroccan Cuisine Preview the cookbookBrowse the dishes inside
From the cookbook

Authentic Moroccan Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Moroccan Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Moroccan volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Buy the cookbook on Amazon Explore Moroccan cuisine