Mint tea or Berber Whiskey is an important part of Moroccan culture and very popular throughout North Africa. When you visit Morrocco, you can look forward to being offered this iconic drink of hospitality. If it’s offered to you, be sure to accept—not only is it pleasantly sweet, minty, refreshing and cleansing, it is also impolite to refuse it. It is traditionally prepared and served by men. Consumption of mint tea in Morocco is a social act and full of symbolism. It is not simply a need to ‘drink tea,’ or stay warm.
Quite recently we had the bright idea of introducing the kids to this culture. We made it a It is Moroccan night! Brian had an old silver tea set he had purchased many, many years ago that had lost its shine. So, we made a silver polishing evening out of it and drank Moroccan tea the proper way – in small colourful glasses, pouring the tea by raising the teapot (or berrad) higher and higher above the glass. This helps the tea become frothy – a distinctive trait of Moroccan mint tea.
As we explained to the kids, every culture has its own way of showing warmth and hospitality. My people, Ghanaians, are known to be one of the most hospitable and warm people you will ever meet. We will most likely get food ready immediately, first asking if you’d like some water to drink. We would totally share a meal with a total stranger and engage them in the most captivating of conversations, well unless you are an introvert like me, then you get food. lol. And in our culture, you really do not have to call ahead for a visit. You can literally just stop in, and there will always be food served. I suppose for the British, although kind and friendly, they are not prone to talking with strangers. However, they would be glad to sit and have a relaxing cuppa with you. Italians and a glass of wine with dinner is a must. In the United States, I’d think sitting together with sports on is a great way to enjoy company, and in Morocco, drinking tea together is an invitation to witness and participate in an important part of the culture.
An ancient Moroccan proverb says:
The first glass is as bitter as life,
The second is as strong as love,
The third is as soothing as death.
According to a Tuareg proverb, “it takes three conditions to make tea: time, embers and friends!”
