Before European discovery of the
Americas, Morocco was considered by many to be at the crossroads of the
world. Situated just below Spain a short hop across the Straight of
Gibraltar, Morocco was for hundreds of years an important link between
East and West in terms of both commerce and culture. While it’s
prominence as a trading mecca has diminished somewhat over the last
hundred years or so, King Hassan II, Morocco’s reigning Monarch still
likens his country to a desert palm tree: “rooted in Africa, watered by
Islam and rustled by the winds of Europe.” We couldn’t have said it
better if we tried. There is perhaps no Moroccan tradition that
illustrates this constitution better than the brewing and serving of
good strong Moroccan Mint tea.
It is believed that it was Europeans, specifically the English that
introduced Moroccans to tea. Although no one is certain, the first
shipments of tea to the country probably arrived via British interests
in China. The beverage was an instant hit with the Muslim populace who
already had a custom of drinking a hot beverage made of locally grown
mint leaves. The British tea fit right into their lifestyle. Before
long, it was discovered that when the tea was added to the mint
beverage, which was heavy and harsh, the cup smoothed out and became
much more palatable. And so East met West in a most satisfying way.
We’re pleased to offer the next best thing to a trip to a Marrakech tea
stall, Moroccan Mint tea. Moroccans say that tea should be bitter as
death, sweet as life and as mellow as love. Taste the flavors of worlds colliding!
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling
boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into the teapot. Pour the
boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes
according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Pour into your cup and add milk and sugar to taste.