Tea Serving and Accessories

Many people around the world enjoy tea, and drink it regularly. Tea serving, and consumption is taken to new heights in Moroccan culture, and is indeed an art form. One of the largest importers of Chinese tea, Moroccan's especially love green tea, and add mint leaves often to give a nice refreshing flavor to the beverage. Atai is the preparation method, which is a slightly complex technique, and varies depending on the region. When mint is out of season and hard to find, sometimes substitutes are used like wormwood or lemon verbena. Frequently, tea is poured at enough of a distance from the glass to produce a foam for an interesting presentation. Here is a simple recipe to make a pot of delicious Mint Tea:

MINT TEA

Yield: 8 servings   (Into a 6 cup glass or china teapot)

Pour boiling water, rinse and throw the water away.
Put in: 3 heaping Tbs. OOLONG TEA (do not use teabags)
2 heaping Tbs. DRIED MINT LEAVES
1/2 cup SUGAR.

Fill the teapot to the brim with boiling water. Then, allow to steep covered for 5 minutes.
Stir up the infusion and taste the liquid to see if it is sweet enough. Strain into glasses.

Note: Prepare second infusion while the guests are enjoying the first: Add 1 tsp. tea, 1 tsp. mint and 2 Tbs. sugar to the pot. Add boiling water to allow to steep for 5 minutes. Stir again. Taste for sweetness. Strain to serve.