Marrakech Guide · 3 min read
Moroccan Mint Tea: History, Ritual and How to Make It Like a Local
Quick answer
Moroccan mint tea (atay) is Chinese gunpowder green tea brewed with fresh spearmint and sugar in a metal teapot, then poured from height into small glasses to create foam. It is served as a sign of welcome many times a day; refusing the first glass is rare. To make it, rinse the tea, add mint and sugar, steep 3–5 minutes and pour back and forth to mix.
In Morocco, a conversation starts with tea. Offered in homes, shops and desert camps, atay is the country's symbol of hospitality.
A little history
Green tea arrived in Morocco through trade with Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Moroccans made it their own by adding fresh mint and sugar. Over time, preparing tea became a ritual — often led by the head of the household — with silver teapots and decorated glasses.
The ritual
- Tea is prepared in front of guests.
- It is poured from height into small glasses to make foam.
- The first glass may be poured back into the pot to mix.
- Guests are traditionally offered several glasses; accepting at least one is polite.
Experience it with a Berber family on our Imlil day trip and learn the gesture in our cooking class.
Recipe (4 small glasses)
- 1 tbsp gunpowder green tea
- A large handful of fresh spearmint
- 3–4 tsp sugar (to taste)
- 500 ml boiling water
- Put the tea in the pot, add a little boiling water, swirl and discard (this rinses bitterness).
- Add the mint and sugar, then fill with boiling water.
- Steep 3–5 minutes (on low heat if your pot allows).
- Pour a glass and return it to the pot two or three times to mix.
- Serve from height for foam.
Tips
- Use fresh mint, not dried.
- Adjust sugar — locals like it sweet.
- In winter, add a sprig of sheba (wormwood) for a bitter, warming note.
More food culture in the Moroccan food guide and on Maghrebi mint tea on Wikipedia.
FAQ
Why is Moroccan tea poured from so high?
Pouring from height cools the tea slightly, mixes it and creates a light foam on top, which is a sign of a well-made tea.
Is Moroccan mint tea very sweet?
Traditionally yes, but you can ask for less sugar ('bla sukkar' for none).
What tea is used?
Chinese gunpowder green tea, with fresh spearmint; in winter some add wormwood (sheba) or other herbs.
Why do people call it 'Berber whiskey'?
It is a joke: mint tea is the social drink of Morocco, served everywhere from homes to shops.
Morocco Travels Team
Written by the Morocco Travels team in Marrakech — local guides and drivers who run these routes every week. We update our guides each season with current prices, opening hours and road conditions.
