Friday, May 29, 2009

Moroccan Mint Tea

Mint tea is almost a national drink of Morrocco.Moroccan style mint tea is served all over North Africa and has become a part of culture.It is made using the green tea powder available there or rather imported from China and it is also called the Chinese gunpowder.The preparation varies from region to region. Basically we require the Moroccan tea pot for doing this but it can be done using the normal tea pot or generally any pot .I always prefer milky tea and am no lover of black tea but I like green tea.Add to this the additional refreshing flavour of mint,the taste was a surprise for me.The mint and green tea balance each other perfectly.

Ingredients:
Green Tea: 1 tsp
Boiling water: 1-1.5 cups
Mint:10-12 sprigs
Sugar: 1-2 tbsp

Preparation:
Boil water .Keep the tea pot ready.Add a little boiled water to the tea pot and swish it out.This is just to warm the teapot.This is optional though.

Add mint sprigs,green tea,sugar to the tea pot.

Pour boiling water onto this into the tea pot.
Let it sit for a a few minutes so that the tea is brewed and the flavours are absorbed.You can also stir with a spoon.

Pour the tea into a glass and then pour back in.Repeat it once more.Also make sure you pour from a little height.This pouring twice make sure the flavours are well blended and the sugar is dissolved and pouring from a height ensures foam on top of the glass and also cools it a little bit and this is the way it is supposed to be done in Morocco.

Pour into a serving cup through a strainer/seive so that only the liquid remains in the cup and the green tea and mint residue remain in the tea pot.Normally Moroccan tea pot have a strainer in the beak which ensures only the liquid is poured into the serving cup.

Garnish with mint and serve.


The recipe serves one.you can also substitute the sugar with honey or agave nectar.I used part honey and part sugar.For a video on this visit here.

I am a tea drinker and this way is slightly different from making the normal milky tea.Also the pouring from the height is almost a ritual related to coffee or atleast to me.Remember glass full of foaming decoction coffee served in SouthIndia or similar restaurants.This is a bit similar though I prefer it foamless.Anyway the simple yet refreshing Mint Tea is onway to JFI:Mint, an event by Indira of Mahandi and currently hosted by Ashwini of SpicyCuisine


14 Comments:

lubnakarim06 said...

I too add the idea of this tea for mint event.....later on dropped it due to some reason.....Hmm i can sense the flavour...looks gr8!

Parita said...

Looks refreshing..lovely color too

chef and her kitchen said...

Very refreshing for this summer!!

Ashwini said...

refreshing summer tea..love it

Cham said...

I love the cold version with a hint of lemon! Very refreshing and beautiful drink!

Red Chillies said...

Adding sugar to the mint green tea sounds interesting. My husband is a huge tea drinker and he will love this idea.

anudivya said...

What a beautiful fresh color on the tea, and the mint floating on top makes it all the more special. My fav herb alongside curry leaves of course :)

Priya Suresh said...

Thats a flavourful mint tea...I used to have it often whenever i have few bunch of mint leaves...Lovely presentation CL...

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

what a refreshing tea.... wonderful.

Unknown said...

Am sure going to give this a try Morrocan style! I have the same glass..

Rachel said...

Love the soothing colour!

Unknown said...

Refreshing & healthy too.

Purva Desai said...

Love the flavour and aroma of mint in the tea.....very refreshing drink

Unknown said...

aaahhh so refreshing perfect choice for a tired summer evening super entry sweatha,

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