How to make Moroccan Tea

A mix of mint, green tea leaves, and a generous serving of sugar, Touareg tea (also known as Maghrebi mint tea) is the customary blend in the North African country of Morocco.

Poured from up high into slim, delicate glasses, it's served three times to guests. Each time the flavor varies slightly.

Per the proverb: "The first glass is as gentle as life, the second is as strong as love, the third is as bitter as death." Refusing any one of these servings is considered the height of rudeness.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon loose Chinese gunpowder green tea

5 cups boiling water

3 to 4 tablespoons sugar, or to taste

1 large bunch fresh mint (1 ounce)

PREPARATION

Put tea in teapot and pour in 1 cup boiling water, then swirl gently to warm pot and rinse tea. Strain out and discard water, reserving tea leaves in pot.

Add remaining 4 cups boiling water to tea and let steep 2 minutes. Stir in sugar (to taste) and mint sprigs and steep 3 to 4 minutes more. Serve in small heatproof glasses.