Moroccan Mint Tea consists of…

Chinese Gunpowder Tea, a high quality Green Tea hand-rolled into small pellets.
Mint leaves, either spearmint or peppermint (even more delicious with both are used).

Traditionally prepared by the head of the family, Moroccan Mint tea is highly sweetened with hard sugar cones and poured into small glasses. In order to produce a foam it is poured from a distance of 2-3 feet. An additional of a sprig of fresh mint is considered an essential ingredient.

I am particularly fond of Green Tea with Mint because the mint seems to neutralize the grassy taste of Green Tea. I wanted the health benefits that Green Tea provides so I used to choke it down. Now I am able to enjoy hot or cold, the addition of mint makes all the difference in the world.

All of the 4 tea types are flavored by adding herbs and/or flowers to them. The following is a brief on each:

White Tea is ideal for flavoring . Its natural flavor is light, sweet and sometimes it has a smoky note to it. My favorite is White Licorice Tea. Quality White Licorice Tea gets its licorice flavor from Star Anise. It provides a milder flavor than the sometimes used Licorice Root Extract. When iced it is the most thirst quenching beverage I’ve ever had. It is invigorating and refreshing.
Ginger adds a wonderful zing to White Tea. Other popular flavors are Black Current and Cherry, Peach, Strawberry and my wife’s favorite Melon.

Green Tea is usually flavored with a single fruit or floral element. Jasmine is probably the most popular in the United States. Moroccan Mint is famous in that region. In Morocco it is considered “the drink of hospitality” and is consumed throughout the day. Highly sweetened, it is served hot or iced with and additional sprig of mint. I like mint added to Green Tea because it reduces the grassy taste. Chai tea is Green Tea which is heavily spiced with Cardamom, Cloves and Cinnamon. It is diluted with milk unless you are in the Himalayas where they prefer yak butter.

Oolong teas support the strong fruit flavors of Pomegranate and Peach. Oolong teas have a naturally fruit complex flavor that holds up well to strong flavorings. For a wonderful fruit/nut combination try Oolong and Almond. You also will not want to miss sugar/caramel or the exotic Oolong with orchids.

Well this brings us to Black Tea. Some flavored Black Teas have been around so long and we are so familiar with them we barely recognize them as flavored teas any longer. Earl Grey is one such tea. Its distinctive orange flavor has been a favorite among tea lovers since they first started adding Oil of Bergamot to a fine Black Tea. Fruit/spice combinations go well with Black Tea. Honey/Pear is very popular, but pretty much any combination that goes well with food will also work with Black Tea. Black Tea is also often flavored with a floral element. Rose tea is well liked as is Jasmine.

All the teas I have mentioned, along with several others, are available through the link in the sidebar. Explore, discover and have fun enjoying wonderful flavored teas.

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