Did you know that Casablanca, a classic American film released in 1942 and entitled after the iconic Moroccan city, actually took place in Los Angeles? What is more shocking to me is how Humphrey Bogart manages, scene after scene, to toss back cocktails instead of Moroccan mint tea, the traditional beverage of Morocco.
In this post, I share a Moroccan mint tea recipe flavored with orange blossom water traditionally known in Morocco as Maghrebi. Be sure to subscribe to Tea End Blog to be automatically entered to win free tea/books/stuff during Tea End Blog Give-Aways!
Moroccan Mint Tea with Orange Blossom Water
Yields: about 4 cups
Ingredients
2 tsp. of quality Moroccan green tea
4 cups of distilled or spring water
1/2 tbsp. of sugar
1/2 handful of mint leaves
2 tsp. of orange blossom water
Instructions
Step 1: In a teapot, combine two teaspoons of tea-leaf with a half liter of boiling water. Allow it to steep for at least 15 minutes.
Step 2: Without stirring, filter the mixture into a stainless steel pot, so that the tea leaves and coarse powder are removed; Add sugar.
Step 3: Dissolve the sugar by bringing mixture to a boil over a medium heat .
Step 4: Add orange blossom water; Add mint leaves directly to tea pot or cup.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
I’ve never been to Morocco but it’s definitely one of the North African countries on my travel list. The images of colorful clothing, ornate tea utensils, and sweeping landscapes enamor me. Thankfully, through my friends here in Dallas, TX, I have been able to experience Moroccan tea culture. I have a friend named Nasar who was born and raised in Morocco and each time I visit his home he makes me Moroccan mint tea. I actually consulted him before creating this post so that I could make sure I prepared the recipe with a green tea traditionally used in Morocco.
Green tea and mint with sugar is how I was introduced to Moroccan mint tea, so it is in this manner that I have sipped Moroccan mint tea until a French friend, named Alexandra, introduced me to a Maghrebi recipe in which orange blossom water is added. This style of Moroccan mint tea is usually served on special occasions and I’ve been addicted ever since!
The Moroccan mint tea with orange blossom water isn't the only attraction in Morocco. Zellige, mosaic tile-work made from individually chiseled geometric tiles set into a plaster base, is an Islamic art form and one of the main characteristics of Moroccan architecture.
Zellige is used to ornament walls, ceilings, fountains, floors, pools and tables and I find it just simply enthralling.
You simply have not experienced green tea unless you have sipped it à la Morocco. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Let me know how you like it!
Be sure to also follow @teaendblog on Instagram as I am always posting photos of different foods and asking my tea sipping bookworm friends for recipes inspired by tea.
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How do you sip green tea?