Preparation

Making traditional tea

In the Maghreb, tea is made to welcome guests. Here is how we make it at home: the right gestures, and the right amounts for your tea.

Start

Which tea do you have in hand?

Choose it: the amounts adapt.

Leaves rolled into small pellets: a lively, strong tea.

Tea: 10–12 g
Water: 100–110 °C
Steeping: 5–10 min

For a one-litre teapot · See grain teas

Fine, elongated leaves: a softer, more fragrant liquor.

Tea: 10–12 g
Water: 90–110 °C
Steeping: 5–10 min

For a one-litre teapot · See filament teas

Chinese green tea scented with jasmine flowers.

Tea: 8–10 g
Water: 80–90 °C
Steeping: 3–5 min

For a one-litre teapot · See the jasmine tea

The gestures, one by one

Measure

Take a heaped tablespoon of tea for a one-litre teapot.
10–12 g per litre
10–12 g per litre
8–10 g per litre
Rinse the tea

Pour a small glass of hot water over the tea, stir gently, then throw this first water away.
The house tipDon't skip this step: it softens the bitterness of the grains.
The house tipA light rinse is enough: these leaves are more delicate.
The house tipA quick rinse is enough.
Let it steep

Fill the teapot with hot water and let the tea steep, without rushing.
Water at 100–110 °C · 5–10 min
Water at 90–110 °C · 5–10 min
Water at 80–90 °C · 3–5 min
The house tipThe longer it steeps, the stronger the tea.
The house tipFor the 4012+ and the Lux 412, water at 85–90 °C: their leaves are fragile.
The house tipHot but never boiling water, and a controlled steeping time: that is what preserves the flower.
Sugar and mint
Add sugar to taste and a nice bunch of fresh mint.
Sugar and fresh mint to taste. The 9371+ is also lovely plain.
It is perfect on its own: plain, lightly sweetened, or with a few fresh mint leaves.
Mix, then pour from high

Pour a glass, then pour it back into the teapot, two or three times: this is how the tea and sugar blend. Then pour from high, to aerate it and create the foam.

Man in traditional dress pouring tea from high into glasses

No time?

The same tea, in a tea bag

Le Bouquet de Marrakech brings green tea, mint and jasmine together in a single tea bag: 200 ml of water at 85–90 °C, 3 to 4 minutes. It is also delicious iced.