A SYMBOL OF HOSPITALITY
According to a Moroccan proverb, the first glass is as gentle as life, the second as strong as love, and the third as bitter as death. Nobody knows exactly when the tradition of mint tea arose in Morocco, there are many versions and not all historians agree on this.
Some claim that the Phoenicians introduced it around the 12th century, others credit nomadic Berbers. Others say Arabs. And yet Spanish and Portuguese invaders when they arrived in Morocco are also given credit for the introduction.
Another theory is that it appeared in the late 17th or early 18th century after the British monarch Queen Anne (1665-1714) sent tea to Sultan Moulay Ismail to release captured British citizens.
Despite the conflicting stories, the tradition of drinking tea is probably younger than it seems. The most popular belief is that it was introduced to Morocco in the mid-19th century by a British merchant who, due to the blockades resulting from the Crimean War, decided to sell the tea chests in Moroccan ports.
Moroccan mint tea, also known as Maghrebi Mint Tea or Sahrawi Mint Tea, served as an alternative to water for the nomads of the Sahara. Moroccan mint (Mentha spicata) is a variety of spearmint. It is a hardy and bushy perennial with a wide range of culinary uses. Available all year round, it looks like most others, with its light green color and slightly jagged edges, but is more compact.
Light purple flowers bloom at the tips in late summer and early fall. The larger stems and leaves have an intense mint flavor that can be enjoyed fresh or dry. Due to the various minerals and compounds it contains, mint tea offers many health benefits and also contains moderate levels of caffeine. Moroccans drink hot tea at home, in bars, cafes and souks all year round.
