How to Make Moroccan Mint Tea Recipe: Ingredients & Ceremony

The traditional Moroccan Mint tea recipe is probably the most requested recipe on moroccanzest, and I get it! This sweet, extra-fragrant tea is a hug to the soul. The good news is that the steps to make this delicious mint tea are easy and the ingredients are very simple. You will be amazed at the deliciousness you will be able to create.

Growing up in Morocco, Moroccan mint tea was part of my everyday life, like the majority of Moroccans. It’s the symbol of family and friend gatherings and the first thing prepared to welcome guests. The smell of this sweet aromatic tea announces happy moments with dear ones.

Making delicious Moroccan mint tea comes down to using specific tea leaves and mint leaves, and a specific type of teapot. It might seem complicated but it’s really not. I will go over everything you need to know in this article.

 Once you make a hot cup of Moroccan mint tea for your family and friends, I can assure you that they will long for your invitations as your mint tea will taste like being on vacation in Morocco!

A typical Moroccan gathering where Moroccan mint tea and pastries are served to welcome guests (picture taken in 1983, Fez, Morocco) | Credits: Bruno Barbey

Moroccan Mint Tea Ceremony

In old Morocco – and still today in traditional Moroccan families -, the family head male was the person in charge of making Moroccan mint tea. He would prepare it with great care following a definite ceremony.

The ceremony starts with bringing the equipment and ingredients to the living room in a large artisanal silver tray. The tea is prepared while chatting and entertaining the guests, At least three glasses will be served, each one stronger than the previous one as tea continues infusing. According to a Moroccan saying the first glass of Moroccan mint tea is as soft as life, the second as strong as love, and the last as bitter as death.

The Art of Pouring Moroccan Mint Tea

If you already had mint tea in Morocco or in a traditional Moroccan restaurant, you probably noticed the tea is poured from a height.

Pouring Moroccan mint tea from a height is an important part of the Moroccan tea ceremony. The higher the tea is poured, the more foam you will get on top of your drink adding more texture and flavor to your tea.

What is Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea Made of?

To make Moroccan mint tea, the only ingredients you will need are gunpowder loose tea, a generous amount of fresh mint leaves, a few aromatics (optional), and sugar. 

Traditional Moroccan mint tea is very very sweet. If you are on a special diet, I would recommend using a less-sweet version – it will still be super tasty and fragrant!- and leaving the sweet traditional version when your diet allows you to, or when you are having guests over. The recipe I will share below is the traditional recipe, so it will have the traditional sweetness. So please feel free to adjust sugar quantities to your diet and preference.

What Teapot to Use for Moroccan Mint Tea?

To make traditional Moroccan mint tea, you will need a traditional Moroccan teapot. This teapot is a must as it is heat resistant, which is essential given the fact that Moroccan mint tea is prepared by active infusion (the tea leaves infuse in boiling water for a few minutes).

I recommend looking for a high-quality Moroccan teapot that was handmade in Morocco. It will be of the highest quality and it will age beautifully, The patina will look better, day after day. You can use it to make Moroccan mint tea but also any other teas or infusions. This beautiful Moroccan tea set has been made artisanally in Morocco and is of high quality. The reviews speak by themselves!

What Kind of Tea is Used for Moroccan Mint Tea?

The tea used to make authentic Moroccan mint tea is the Chinese green gunpowder loose tea. It’s what gives mint tea the best results.

What Kind of Mint is Used for Moroccan Tea?

The mint used in traditional Moroccan mint tea is spearmint, also called Nana Mint. This mint variety brings a strong flavor and delicate sweetness. If you can’t find spearmint in your local store, no worries, you can use other mint varieties and your Moroccan mint tea will still be delicious! Don’t forget to wash the brunches thoroughly before use.

Moroccan people use a generous quantity of mint and sometimes, they have to bend the branches and squeeze them to make them enter the teapot. Be generous with your mint, that’s how you’ll get the strong minty flavor of Moroccan mint tea.

How to Flavor Moroccan Mint Tea?

Moroccans love to flavor their Moroccan mint tea. While the basic Moroccan mint tea is a go-to drink for every day, Moroccans like to add herbs, spices, and aromatics on special occasions or to get some health benefits.

As an example, during the cold season, Moroccans tend to add herbs known for their warming properties, like a variety of Pennyroyal mint and absinthe.

On special occasions like engagement parties and marriages, the most used herbs and spices are rosebuds, verbena, and/or cinnamon. They are known for enhancing the mood, and encouraging a more relaxed and joyful gathering.