What is Moorish tea? How is it served? What is it accompanied with? These are some questions that we answer in this post and that will be useful if you plan to enjoy this experience during your trip to Morocco. Take note and delve into this tradition that still has validity today among its people and its visitors. validity has still today among its people and its visitors.
Moorish tea: green with mint
Moorish tea is popularly known as Moroccan tea, which is different from the tea that is drunk in other parts of the Arab world. Specifically, this is a green tea with mint. That is, the leaves used are those of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) without fermenting or oxidizing (unlike other teas, such as black or red, which have previously undergone this process). And in the infusion, Moorish tea also uses mint leaves, which give it a minty and refreshing touch. minty touch and refreshing.
Does it contain sugar? When is it added?
Although Moorish tea is not as strong as black tea, mint can add a bitter touch if it is not washed or boiled beforehand. And despite removing that natural bitterness, it is common to add sugar directly to the teapot, not separately in each glass. directly in the teapot, not separately in each glass. Therefore, you probably won’t find lumps or sachets of sugar next to your glass. And it should be said that in some cases sugar is replaced by honey, although this depends on the taste of each person. honey, although this depends on the taste of each person.
Three glasses of Moorish tea and a proverb
It is common for the same person to drink several glasses of tea during the meeting, until practically finishing the contents of the teapot. And in this way you will notice that it becomes sweeter each time, as the contents of the bottom of the teapot contain more sugar. Hence the famous phrase that says: “the first glass is bitter, like love; the second, intense like life; and the third, sweet like death.”
Teapot and handmade glasses
When drinking Moorish tea, great care is taken in the staging. It is served in the teapot where the contents have been infused, which is metallic (usually made of alpaca, nickel or stainless steel), with a very attractive design: decorated body, curved and slender handle and spout, and four legs for stability. And as for the glasses, they are usually made of glass with decorations inspired by Islamic art, such as drawings imitating henna. These glasses are usually small, about 100 ml, but they can also be medium, about 250 ml approximately.
Served several times and at a certain height
As we said, it is common to serve Moorish tea in several batches. This is the case if it is taken in an atmosphere of relaxed conversation and also so that the contents do not cool in the glass, which forces you to drink it in small sips. On the other hand, the tea must be served at a certain height, to favor the contact of the jet with the air and the foam formation in the glass. In addition, there are those who add whole mint leaves to the glass, to give the tea a touch of color and an extra flavor.
Is Moorish tea accompanied by anything?
In reality, Moorish tea can be served alone, without accompaniment, especially if it is taken in a casual and improvised environment. But it is also common to offer some food to make this moment more pleasant. And in that case, the main protagonists are Moroccan sweets. Normally, small confections that can be easily grabbed with your hands and eaten in a couple of bites. This is the case of gazelle horns or chebakia, among many others.
