How to Make Moroccan Mint Tea (with Fresh Mint)
If you're looking for a refreshing and flavorful drink, this fresh Moroccan mint tea recipe is a must-try! Made with a blend of green tea, fresh mint leaves, and sugar, this tea is a staple in Moroccan culture and is known for its refreshing and soothing properties. The mint leaves add a refreshing and invigorating flavor to the tea, while the green tea provides a natural boost of energy. This recipe is easy to make and can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it perfect for any time of the year. Whether you're looking for a refreshing drink to cool off on a hot summer day or a comforting beverage to warm you up on a chilly evening, this fresh Moroccan mint tea is sure to satisfy your taste buds. So, gather your ingredients and start brewing your own cup of this delicious and aromatic tea today!
A Guide to Making Moroccan Mint Tea at Home
Made with fresh mint leaves, green tea and white sugar for an authentic tea reminiscent of Morocco.
What is Fresh Moroccan Mint Tea Made Of?
Traditional fresh Moroccan mint tea is made using gunpowder green tea with fresh mint (usually locally grown nana mint) and is steeped on a stove top on a continuous heat for around ten minutes or so. It’s a little difficult to do that without the help of a stove top heat resistant tea pot and so my method is a little more straightforward.
What Kind of Mint is Used in Moroccan Mint Tea?
Traditionally fresh spearmint is the mint of choice in Moroccan mint tea. Spearmint has spear shaped leaves that resemble spears and that’s why it is called spearmint. You can substitute for fresh garden mint or fresh peppermint.
What is Nana Mint?
Nana mint like this, is a type of spearmint grown in Morocco. It’s the preferred mint to use in Moroccan mint tea. If you have fresh (or even dried) nana mint, I would recommend using that to recreate the aromatic sweetness that sums up Moroccan mint tea.
What is Gunpowder Green Tea?
Gunpowder green tea (also known as Lo Chu Ch’a and Zhu Cha) is named so because it is a type of green tea that has been rolled into pellets, gunpowder shaped pellets. Gunpowder tea is sometimes referred to as pearl tea and is more commonly a green tea but can also be processed in such a way to become an oolong tea.
Can I Make Iced Moroccan Mint Tea?
Moroccan mint tea can be enjoyed hot or iced. Iced Moroccan mint tea is wonderfully refreshing. Make a pot of Moroccan mint tea and serve over ice. If you prefer something a little stronger or sweeter, adjust the quantities of tea, mint and sugar.
What Dessert Pairs Well With Fresh Moroccan Mint Tea?
Pairing tea with desserts has been around for centuries and desserts pair very well with homemade fresh Moroccan mint tea. Afternoon tea was first enjoyed in 1840 by Anna the Duchess of Bedford who wanted to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. However, tea and dessert pairings has possibly been around much longer than this in many different cultures from around the world. Moroccan mint tea pairs perfectly with mini sweet pastries and it also goes down a storm with Turkish delight too!
Is Moroccan Mint Tea Good for You?
Moroccan mint tea is made from green tea and mint, both of which provide healthy benefits. Moroccan mint tea is as good for your body as it is for your taste buds!
Tea contains a whole host of goodness that includes catechins, l-theanine and tannins. These antioxidants each have their own chemical behaviour that comes with it’s own benefit. The catechins found in tea, known as EGCG have anti inflammatory properties. L-theanine is known to benefit the cardiovascular system. Tannins are heart healthy antioxidants.
Mint comes with health boosting benefits too. Mint has gut soothing qualities, can aid in the relief of excess gas and bloating, and help relieve stuffiness from colds and flu.
How to Make Moroccan Mint Tea From Scratch
INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)
1 Tablespoon of Gunpowder Green Tea
2-3 Tablespoons of White Cane Sugar
Large Handful of Fresh Mint
METHOD
Place the loose leaf tea in an infuser and pop them in the tea pot. Pour over freshly boiling water and swish the leaves. Discard the water but keep the tea leaves in the infuser/pot. This step is so that any bitterness from the leaves is removed.
Next, half fill the teapot with boiled water and add the sugar. Stir the sugar until it has dissolved.
Crush up the mint in your hands slightly to release those fresh minty aromas and add them to your pot along with the green tea in the infuser.
Fill the tea pot to the top and pop the lid back on.
Allow to infuse for 5 minutes and remove the green tea.
Next, I like to allow the mint leaves to steep for a further 5 minutes or so before enjoying with sweet treats :)
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It is important to note that any health advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or overall health. The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice.