The History Behind Moroccan Mint Green Tea

The history behind Moroccan mint green tea is hard to pinpoint and subject to much debate, as Moroccan tea traditions go back as far as the 12th century BC. 

The first documented consumption of this delicious beverage was when Queen Anne of England presented Sultan Moulay Ismail the tea as a gift sometime during the 17th or 18th century. An avid tea drinker herself, Queen Anne hoped that the gift would encourage the Sultan to release English captives. During the Crimean War, the British sought to market the tea and introduced it to Northern Africa through the port of Mogador and the Atlantic Sahara. Locals took the gunpowder tea and added spearmint leaves, making this drink their own. Soon the drink became a cultural staple within Moroccan life, and it was offered to guests as a sign of hospitality.

There are three seminal ingredients in Moroccan mint green tea:

• Gunpowder imported from China in a rolled pellet form that is significantly stronger in taste than Chinese green tea. First produced during the Ming Dynasty and originating in the Quanzhou region of China’s Fujian province, it is sometimes referred to as “pearl tea.”
• Gunpowder is a variety of Chinese green tea that takes its name from its resemblance to actual gunpowder in its finished form. Green or oolong tea leaves are first withered and steamed before being rolled into pellets. Then the tea is dried through a pan-frying method to inhibit oxidation. Sometimes a smoky flavor results, depending on how many drying cycles occur. Rolling the leaves allows the tea to retain more aroma and flavor while also protecting the leaves during transport or storage.
• Typically, the shine of the pellet is an indicator of freshness, with size as an indicator of quality. High-quality pellets are typically hand-rolled and much more compact than lower-quality grades that are rolled with the help of machinery. On its own, gunpowder tea is yellow in color when brewed.
• Beetroot is native to Morocco and is used as a sweetener. Natural sugar is extracted before it is purified and allowed to crystallize. It has a lower glycemic index than table sugar or honey and may be more suitable for diabetics.
• Spearmint is cherished for its clear, pungent, and mild aroma that can sometimes create a minty aftertaste or feeling in the mouth. Different herbs and spices are used to create various flavor combinations.

At The Cultured Cup, we honor this classic drink through our Marrakech Teatime Blend. This green tea combines mint with bergamot for an invigorating beverage that can be served hot or iced. We also proudly offer Casablanca from Mariage Frères. Which Moroccan-inspired blend do you like more? Be sure to stop by our store or order online!