Moroccan mint tea
This refreshing beverage is a popular drink any time of day or night. Its preparation can be quite elaborate, signifying hospitality. One of the steps includes pouring some tea into glasses and then re-pouring back into the pot from a height, thus combining the sugar without stirring, which also creates a little froth on top. Here is a simpler version to try at home. It is typically a sweet drink, so adjust the sugar to your taste.
- - 3 teaspoons loose green tea (such as gunpowder tea from specialty tea shops)
- - 10 sprigs fresh mint
- - 3 tablespoons sugar (or honey)
- - boiling water
Add tea leaves to a warmed teapot and pour in a small amount of boiling water. Gently swirl around the water and tea leaves (this rinses the tea and removes any bitterness), then carefully pour the water out again making sure not to lose the tea leaves. Add the sugar and mint leaves, and pour in more boiling water to fill the pot. Allow to steep for a couple of minutes. At this stage you may pour out one glass of tea, and pour it back into the pot to distribute the flavours, but if you are too impatient then proceed to the next step! Pour into heat proof glasses and decorate with some more mint leaves.