When you step inside a house in Morocco, likelihood is you’ll be greeted with a pour of steaming, freshly made Berber whiskey. 

Regardless of its identify, Berber whiskey doesn’t include a drop of liquor. It’s basically mint tea, made in a selected fashion unique to the area. It’s also referred to as the nation’s nationwide drink. 

Berber refers back to the indigenous folks of North Africa, also referred to as Amazigh, whose historical past in Morocco dates again 1000’s of years and predates the arrival of Islam and Arab peoples.

“The nickname ‘Berber whiskey’ originated from international guests,” says Mohammad Ait Belhaj, mint tea grasp on the Kasbah Tamadot lodge in Asni, Morocco. “[Visitors] observed that Moroccans drink [mint] tea nearly on a regular basis, with the identical enthusiasm that whiskey could be served in different cultures.” The alternate identify has turn into endearing to locals and is now proudly used to precise their affection for the drink.

Moroccans sip Berber whiskey at nearly any time of day. “Within the morning with breakfast, after lunch, and within the night throughout household gatherings,” says Ait Belhaj. “It’s a cherished custom and an important a part of our every day life.”

What’s Berber whiskey (Moroccan mint tea)?

Berber whiskey, or Moroccan mint tea, is made out of Chinese language inexperienced tea (particularly gunpowder tea), recent mint, sugar, and boiling water. It’s brewed in a Moroccan teapot with a tall, curved spout, then poured from excessive above to aerate the tea and create a foamy “head” of bubbles. 

There are a number of methods to arrange mint tea, and perfecting the method is taken into account an artwork type. For Ait Belhaj, his most popular methodology is utilizing a metallic teapot and heating the tea over charcoal. This method permits the light warmth so as to add depth to the tea’s flavors. As soon as prepared, he serves the tea in small, engraved glasses.

Past the tea’s refreshing and comforting flavors, the drink represents a lot extra. “It’s an emblem of hospitality, generosity, and heat,” says Ait Belhaj. He says that it’s uncommon to seek out oneself in a household or social gathering with no tea in sight. “It’s a solution to join, to share a second, and to point out respect to company.”

Mint tea as a second for dialog and sharing

Ait Belhaj has labored at Kasbah Tamadot for over 20 years. He began as a waiter on the lodge’s restaurant after which was the resort’s supervisor for a decade. Quickly after retiring, he returned, making it his life’s mission to share and train Morocco’s mint tea custom to company from all over the world.

Day-after-day, Ait Belhaj prepares tea in entrance of company and shares the method from begin to end. Throughout this demonstration, he fastidiously explains each ingredient and step. 

“My favourite second is the serving itself, seeing the company’ smiles as they style the tea for the primary time,” says Ait Belhaj. “Making ready mint tea is a bridge to find different cultures.” All the tea-making course of permits him to be taught extra concerning the company whereas sharing a style of Moroccan historical past and heritage.

Kasbah Tamadot affords company a variety of significant mint tea experiences, from studying the right way to brew the tea firsthand to visiting neighboring villages and having fun with a recent cup within the houses of Berber households.

In Morocco, sharing mint tea amongst family and friends is taken into account some of the essential rituals of the day. The time spent each making and ingesting the tea is supposed for dialog and sharing.

Find out how to get pleasure from Moroccan-style mint tea within the U.S.

Moroccan mint tea can simply be loved at dwelling, however there are a couple of key steps to observe to make sure you brew an genuine pot.

First, discover a Moroccan teapot with a protracted, curved spout. Subsequent, collect your substances — inexperienced tea, sugar, mint, and boiling water. For an entire and correct presentation, serve the tea on a tray with elegant tea glasses. Ait Belhaj says probably the most important tip is to make use of good-quality Chinese language gunpowder inexperienced tea and recent mint.

After getting every thing prepared, begin by rinsing the inexperienced tea leaves with scorching water to take away any bitterness. Then, within the teapot, mix the inexperienced tea with boiling water and let it simmer for a number of minutes earlier than including the sugar and mint. 

When serving, you should definitely pour the tea from a peak of at the very least 6 inches above the cup. This method not solely helps combine the flavors and substances, but in addition creates the signature bubbles that crown every glass. If you happen to want a sweeter style, add a dice of sugar.

It takes apply to good the preparation of Moroccan mint tea, however one notice to all the time have in mind is to “take your time; tea ought to by no means be rushed,” says Ait Belhaj. It’s a ritual, a solution to join and share a second with the folks you’re having fun with it with.