How to Make Moroccan Mint Tea

Moroccan mint tea has been enjoyed for centuries as refreshing drink that can be taken at any time of the day.

Traditionally prepared by the head of the household it is the drink that is used to welcome guests and is associated with socialising and relaxation. It is often used as an afternoon pick-me-up due to its caffeine content and as an after dinner drink as the mint contains properties which help digestion. Not only is it delicious, it is packed full of nutritional benefits and is the perfect beverage to rejuvenate the senses.

The traditional brewing method can be a little complicated but luckily this is a simplified version so you can whip up a batch of this delicious tea in no time at all. All you need is the following ingredients:

• Boiling water
• Gunpowder green tea
• Fresh spearmint leaves
• Sugar or honey

Boil the water

To make some delicious Moroccan mint tea at home you will need access to boiling water, either from a kettle, heating water on the stove or by using a French press or a coffee machine with a coffee filter. Add the gunpowder green tea to the boiling water allowing the leaves tobrew for up to 15 minutes, or 10 minutes if you prefer a slightly weaker tasting tea.

Strain the tea

Once the tea leaves have been steeped to the desired strength pour the tea into a teapot using a strainer or tea filter. Whilst doing thisensure you remove as many of the leaves and as possible as overly stewed leaves can impair the taste of the tea.

Sweeten

Add sugar or honey to taste. This can either be stirred into the pot or the tea can be poured into a pan on the stove and have granulated sugar gradually dissolved in the water whilst it heats to ensure for an even distribution of sweetness.

Add the herbs

Pour the tea back into a saucepan on the hob and add in the fresh mint leaves and any other herbs you fancy using (lemon verbena works well) and leave to infuse for 2 minutes.

Serve

Pour the tea back into the teapot and stir. Arrange sprigs of herbs in decorative glasses and pour the tea (from a height) into the glasses, this will allow the tea to infuse properly with the herbs.

Optional extra

In hot weather an iced tea can be the perfect way to cool down and iced Moroccan mint tea is just as delicious cold as it is hot. To turn your Moroccan mint tea into an iced brew follow the steps above, once you have done this you will need to allow the tea to cool to room temperature before adding ice cubes and serving.

A wedge of lemon can be the perfect accompaniment to iced mint tea which cuts through the sweetness of the mint to add a dash of refreshing citrus.