5 cups of Mint Tea (& Recipe): The Moroccan Tradition (MOROCCO - part 1 of 2)

As much as the Spaniards captured our hearts with their café, we now turn our caffeinated souls over to the herbal tea blend ubiquitous throughout Morocco.
Mint tea or "The a la Menthe"is found in every household and storefront. It is as much a beverage to delight in as a social gesture of friendship and hospitality. Tourists exhibiting exemplary bartering skills may be invited to share a cup of the vendor's tea, awaiting at his footstool. During my three day tour of Casablanca and Marrakech, I partook in no less than 5 (individual sized) teapots (pots not cups) of Moroccan mint tea, both by choice and invitation. The soothing blend of green tea and fresh potent mint leaves is invigorating as the hot liquid steams over your face. Beware of my foolhardy attempt to drink the elixir straight off the stove and sip the tea at your leisure.

Before untangling our swell-ravaged bodies from the boat, erm pardon, SHIP (it did very much seem like a boat in that final half an hour before docking), we were instructed with excessive ceremony and precaution in the social conduct and typical interaction of the country; particularly as it pertained to gender inequalities. I observed this divide manifested most clearly in large cafes throughout the urban centers. Men filled sidewalk seating, lounging in wicker chairs, all facing outwards towards the street for maximum people (women?) watching potential. Even the indoor seating was filed in a similar fashion as if the patrons were attending the cinema. Similar to the bars of America and unique from the cafe atmosphere we have created, Moroccan cafes are devoted to middle-aged men, a social niche or business negotiating hotspot. Nevertheless by mid-afternoon, after braving intermittent downpour and patchy skies, our group of four girls were ready to join the ranks. Although women are not forbidden to enter a cafe, even alone, she may sacrifice the comfort of her experience by being surrounded by observant men. We chose a modernly outfitted cafe packed with both men of all ages and several young ladies as well. [Note to self: most women sit indoors. Do not be discouraged to poke your head in and check the gender ratio before deciding on your location.] The tea is simply prepared with green tea leaves, fresh sprigs of mint, and an impressive quantity of sugar, no less than five lumps per pot. Each order is served in individual silver plated teapots, ranging from simple Asian buffet-type mini tins to ones ornate enough to capture Abu's thieving monkey-eyes. A dainty tall glass teacup, essentially an oversized shot glass, accompanies the teapot along with a silver spoon and an additional large packet of sugar, arranged atop an individual silver tea tray. (Depending on whether I find this to be a trend, I may revisit the exceptionally large packets of sugar offered outside the US). I was pleasantly surprised by my first taste of the honey-colored liquid. It is very sweet, but behind the initial sugary mouthful is an subtle aromatic sharpness from the mint layered over the basic comfort of green tea. If you are not a believer in mint, try the recipe below before proclaiming your final judgment.

THE RECIPE
Thé a la menthe
(serves 1)
- 2 fresh mint sprigs (Moroccan mint if possible)
- 2-3 tsp loose leaf green tea
- 5 sugar chunks / cubes or honey
- boiling water

* pour boiling water over tea leaves and steep or continue boiling for 5 min
* add mint sprigs in teapot; steep another few minutes
* add sugar and stir well (to taste)

I have been informed on various occasions, though I did not witness this practice firsthand, that it is customary to pour the tea into the cups from an impressive height of several feet or more. This both serves to better mix the tea and sweetener as well as entertain the tea recipient with a small performance.