Moroccan tea recipes
An infusion from Morocco won the hearts of millions of people so quickly that many began to perceive the outlandish composition as commonplace. In all countries of the world there are fans of the sweet green tea drink. In addition to a pleasant taste, it has many useful properties. Everyone can enjoy delicious tea.
A bit of history
The history of this wonderful drink stretches from the 19th century. A British trader was carrying gunpowder tea from China, but had to change direction due to the outbreak of hostilities. The man ended up in Morocco, where he sold his goods. It was this outlandish variety of tea that became the main component of the mint drink. From that moment on, the recipe began to gain popularity in many countries. This process continues even now.
The Moroccan tea known to us was once called Tunisian, Tuareg, and Maghreb tea. The drink has become a symbol of hospitality in many countries. In Morocco, you can see tea on the shelves of shops, cafes, restaurants, shops. The hostesses knew the main and additional ingredients, mixed them at their discretion, and as a result they got a wonderful sweet drink.
Compound
Moroccan tea consists of the following components.
- Green tea is the base. The most suitable varieties are Chun Me and Zhu Cha. If you can't get them, alternative options will do.
- It is difficult to imagine the Tuareg without mint. The most suitable is Moroccan (if necessary, you can replace it with regular mint, which is at hand). It contains more essential oils and menthol than European counterparts. The corrugated leaves of the plant add a special charm to the appearance of the tea. The ingredient is usually used fresh, but dried leaves are also acceptable.
- There are also additional ingredients. They add new notes to the taste and smell of the tincture. You can safely add a lot of wormwood and lemon verbena. Milk, citrus fruits, and spices will be your key tools in creating a unique drink.
Benefit
Rich taste and smell are combined with a number of useful properties, consisting in a high content of flavonoids, vitamins and antioxidants. These trace elements have a beneficial effect on the immune system, heart and blood vessels. Consider the beneficial properties of tea.
- Improves bowel function after food poisoning.
- Relieves muscle tension after sports.
- Mint reduces the excitability of the nervous system, strengthens tooth enamel.
- With the addition of cloves, cardamom drink helps prevent colds and infectious diseases. Helps to get rid of extra pounds by accelerating the process of splitting fats.
Contraindications
Not everyone can indulge in such a drink, since it contains many biologically active substances. Contraindications include:
- age up to 6 years;
- breast-feeding;
- low pressure;
- various diseases of the kidneys and liver;
- problems with urinary function.
When choosing a product, be sure to look at the cost. Raw materials for a drink are expensive, so a low price indicates that you have a fake in front of you.Such a drink can cause significant harm to the body.
Preparing a drink
Today, there are many recipes for brewing tea. Combine green tea with Moroccan mint, with milk and lemon, with herbs and spices. Experiment with different options to find the perfect flavor for you.
Classic recipe
First, brew green tea, and then let it brew for 15 minutes. Carefully filter the liquid, then pour into another larger kettle. Put the sugar, put the tea on the fire until the sugar crystals dissolve in the water. A few minutes before the end of the boil, add a lot of mint leaves to the kettle. Sometimes it is immediately laid out in tall glasses and poured with hot tea.
Cinnamon
Such a drink is prepared with cinnamon, orange, lemon, cloves. This is the cooking method.
- Cut the zest from citrus fruits, cut it into strips.
- Squeeze out the lemon juice.
- Remember mint leaves with your hands.
- Pour granulated sugar into the pan, melt the crystals until a brown mass forms.
- Place all ingredients in a brewing container. Pour in lemon juice and boiling water. Put on the stove, wait for it to boil.
- Let the drink brew for 20 minutes. Pour into traditional glasses and top with a fresh mint leaf.
with star anise
To make aromatic tea, you will need a cinnamon stick, mint, green tea, star anise, anise, lemon or lime. The process itself is as follows.
- Put tea leaves and mint in the teapot. Add 1 cinnamon stick.
- Anise seeds and star anise must be ground in a mortar. Add the powder to the teapot as well.
- Peel the zest from a lemon or lime and squeeze out the juice. Send a piece of skin and juice to the kettle.
- Pour boiling water over all the ingredients, leave for 10 minutes.
with thyme
To prepare the drink you will need green tea, mint, thyme, sugar. Tea is well suited both for a winter evening and for hot weather in a cold form. Cooking method.
- Pour boiling water over tea leaves, mashed mint leaves, thyme.
- Add sugar to taste.
- Swirl the drink over low heat for 20 minutes.
Advanced Recipe
In addition to the classic brewing method, there is also a more cunning, multi-stage one. A complex recipe helps to gradually reveal all the notes of taste and aroma. With this preparation, tea turns out to be the most useful. It is important to strictly follow this procedure.
- Pour green tea into the teapot and pour boiling water over it.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Drain the water into another bowl. It is believed that the first brew has the "spirit of tea". It is also rich in essential oils.
- Pour boiling water over the leaves again. Wait 30 seconds.
- Drain the water. This water has a high concentration of tannins, which add bitterness to the taste.
This and subsequent brews are needed to reduce the concentration of these trace elements.
- Repeat brewing 2-3 more times. The liquid should become clear in color.
- Add sugar. According to the classic recipe, you need to put 1 tsp per glass of drink, but you can increase the amount to your liking.
- Put mint leaves in the teapot (proportion with tea 1: 5).
- Put the kettle on the stove, bring to a boil.
- Add water from the first brew without removing the kettle from the heat.
- Continue to boil for another 5 minutes.
You will learn more about the rules for making Moroccan tea by watching the following video.
Moroccan tea traditions
If you want to know all the charm and magic of the drink, then it is important not only to prepare it correctly, but also to drink it correctly.A special ceremony is needed to pay tribute and show respect to the owner of the dwelling, as well as his family. Be sure to use a metal kettle. It can be silver or tin. It is necessary to drink a drink from tall transparent glasses without handles.
When pouring into glasses, raise the kettle to a height of at least half a meter. This procedure is necessary for additional enrichment of the liquid with oxygen. With proper serving and brewing, foam will form in the glass during pouring.
Remember that Moroccan tea is a symbol of hospitality. To those who enter the house, tea is served by the owner himself as a sign of respect. A drink must be served to guests 3 or more times. Glasses are filled no more than to the middle. If a visitor is offered a full glass of drink, then he is not welcome.
For tea, sweets must be served on the table. It can be any biscuit or candied fruit. Guests can not refuse a drink and treats. Thus, you show your disrespect to the owner and his family.