🍵 How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea (Atay b’Nana)

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 🍵 How to Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea (Atay b’Nana)

Serves: 4 people
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Skill Level: Beginner, but made with love 💚


✨ Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon Chinese gunpowder green tea

  • 1 large bunch of fresh spearmint (nana) – stems and all

  • 3–5 tablespoons of Moroccan sugar cubes or to taste

  • 1 liter (4 cups) of boiling water

🍃 Tools You’ll Need

  • Traditional Moroccan teapot (berrad)

  • Small Moroccan tea glasses

  • A strainer or second pot for rinsing

  • Optional: A serving tray for presentation

🫖 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rinse the Tea Leaves

Place the green tea in the teapot. Pour in about half a cup of boiling water, swirl gently for a few seconds, then discard the water. This removes the bitterness and cleans the tea.

Moroccan tip: Keep the rinsed leaves in the teapot! That’s where the magic starts.

2. Add the Sugar

Add the sugar cubes directly into the teapot. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking, but traditionally, Moroccan tea is very sweet—especially in the north.

3. Add Fresh Mint

Stuff a generous bunch of mint into the teapot. Don’t be shy! The more mint, the more flavor.

4. Pour in the Boiling Water

Fill the teapot with the rest of the boiling water. Place the teapot directly on low heat (if safe to do so) or let it steep for 5 minutes off heat.

5. Mix by Pouring, Not Stirring

Now comes the most Moroccan part—pouring from a height. Pour a glass of tea, then return it to the pot. Repeat this 3–4 times to mix the flavors and create a light froth.

We never stir with a spoon. Pouring blends the tea and shows hospitality and care.

6. Serve with Style

Pour the tea from high above into each glass, letting the foam rise. Serve with a small sweet snack or simply by itself.

🌿 Optional Variations

  • Orange blossom water: Just a few drops adds floral notes (common in northern Morocco)

  • Verbena or sage: Used in rural areas for a calming flavor

  • No sugar: For a healthier twist (but don’t tell a Moroccan grandmother!)

🇲🇦 Final Notes

Making Moroccan tea isn’t just about getting the flavor right—it’s about slowing down, being present, and welcoming others with warmth. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or sipping solo, each glass carries the essence of Morocco.

“In Morocco, tea isn’t made with water. It’s made with time, sugar, and soul.”

 



 

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