Anyone for tea? Around the world tea plays a very important part of social rituals, with each country having unique traditions and etiquette.

Everyone has heard of Afternoon Tea… quintessentially British, enjoyed by people throughout the world, served with finger sandwiches, scones and pastries, usually late in the afternoon. There are rules of etiquette such as the order of courses served, the use of utensils and much more. 

Similarly, tea plays an important role in many other countries, for both social and formal events. The preparation differs widely, from being brewed with butter and salt in Tibet to being brewed with milk and spices in India. The serving and drinking etiquette also varies from culture to culture. Some countries prefer black tea, others prefer green tea. However, one thing that all cultures have in common, is the serving of tea as a sign of hospitality. Let’s discover how tea is enjoyed in Morocco.

Mint tea is the primary drink offered to show hospitality in Morocco. This tea is at the heart of everything - social events, business discussions and even when haggling at the market it’s likely you’ll be offered tea. In the Arab world, mint tea will typically only be served after a meal, however Moroccan tea is served throughout the day and may be offered to guests at any time. It not only represents hospitality, it’s also deeply rooted in their tradition so it would be considered an insult if you were to refuse it. A mix of green tea leaves, mint leaves and sugar forms the traditional blend in Morocco, although there are regional variations such as adding even more sugar or pine nuts (there are also variations in serving the tea). 

In traditional households the male head of the family will serve the guests tea and may or may not prepare it in front of the guest. However the pouring of the tea will be done in front of the guest. 

One version of preparing the tea is by adding the tea leaves, mint and sugar directly to a tea pot, also called a tea kettle, which has a long narrow spout. When it’s ready, the spout of the pot is placed closed to the small beautiful patterned or coloured tea glasses (not cups). As the host pours the tea, the tea pot is lifted up quite high in the air and then brought back down again to the glass.  This movement of raising the pot high and further away from the glass, serves to add a thin foam or froth to the tea and aerate it. It also allows the host a little moment of showmanship! 

While the first glass is being enjoyed, the host will top up the tea pot again with more hot water, mint and sugar (typically no more tea leaves are added as the original leaves will continue to infuse the second and third pots). The first glass can taste quite strong but with each new brewing the flavours soften. Tradition dictates that 3 servings of tea are always offered, according to the proverb:   

“The first glass is as bitter as life, the second is as strong as love, the third is as soothing as death.”

Moroccans take great pride in their green mint tea and their rituals of drinking and serving it, so it’s considered impolite to refuse the tea and all 3 glasses should be drunk. 

Western tea etiquette can be left at the front door and collected on the way out! 

 Julia Esteve Boyd

The Etiquette Consultant