Tea only arrived in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia in the 19th century, but was immediately adopted by the entire population, especially in Morocco. It is offered everywhere to welcome guests, it serves as a pretext for a moment of conviviality and business cannot be conducted without it. It is prepared with ‘Gunpowder tea’, a richly-perfumed Chinese green tea that is rolled into small pellets.
Tea in Northwest Africa
North Africa’s tea-drinking tradition is relatively recent. Tea has become part of everyday life and plays an important role in social gatherings. It is prepared following a very precise ritual.
Tea, as a symbol of hospitality
Tea, as a symbol of hospitality
The preparation ritual
The preparation ritual
Serving tea near Marrakesh, Morocco, 1999
© Getty Images / LightRocket / Wolfgang Kaehler
© Getty Images / LightRocket / Wolfgang Kaehler
Traditionally it is the men, either the head of the family or his son, who prepare the tea. Every step is important. Tea is placed in a metal teapot (warmed beforehand); a little boiling water is then poured in and immediately discarded, to remove any bitterness. A handful of fresh mint is crushed in the hand, to release its aromas, and then added, along with some sugar. This is covered with boiling water and allowed to infuse for five to six minutes. The tea is served very hot, according to a specific ritual. It has to be poured from a great height to release oxygen, then the teapot is lowered and raised to produce froth.
The tea is served in small decorated glasses, specially designed for this purpose. Toasted pine nuts may also be added and some pastries offered as an accompaniment.
Tea in the Sahara
Tea in the Sahara
Green tea can always be found in tents in the Sahara desert, where it is offered as a sign of hospitality. It is customary to drink three glasses. The first infusion is light and is said to symbolise the gentle things in life. The second is stronger and symbolises love. The third is bitter and evokes death.
CHA SANGMANEE, Kitti, DONZEL, Catherine, MELCHIOR-DURAND, Stéphane, STELLA, Alain, 1996. L’ABCdaire du thé. Paris : Flammarion.
PERRIER-ROBERT, Annie, 1999. Le thé. Paris : Éditions du Chêne - Hachette Livre.
MANIL, Christian, ZBINDEN Marie, 2000. L’heure du thé. France : Hachette.
Knowledge
The history of tea
An ancestral tradition in China, tea was to become the ultimate beverage in the Far East. Although less popular in Latin countries, Europe showed great enthusiasm for tea, which led to the creation of luxurious accessories and the opening of tearooms.
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Tea today
Tea arrived in the West a few centuries ago and is continuing to thrive. Those who were sceptical about the drink are becoming fascinated by its great potential and its ability to adapt to current trends. There are a thousand and one ways of preparing and drinking tea, just waiting to be discovered!
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The Japanese tea ceremony
A tea ritual, influenced by Zen Buddhism, gradually evolved in Japan to the point that it became a highly codified ceremony. The master of ceremony, the preparation of the drink and the associated gestures and decor all come together to create a unique moment of harmony and serenity.
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Tea in the United Kingdom
Tea quickly met tremendous success in Great Britain, where it was adopted by all levels of society. As great tea-lovers, the British developed a taste for different types of tea at different times of the day and established a ‘not to be missed’ tradition of drinking ‘afternoon tea’.
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Tea in Russia
In the 19th century, tea was enthusiastically adopted by one and all throughout Russia. The Russians developed their own tea-drinking customs, which came to be known far beyond their borders. They are to be credited for ‘Russian flavoured’ tea but, above all, for the samovar, which became an iconic symbol of hospitality.