China hits back at US and EU as trade rows deepen    Iranian President Raisi is confirmed dead after helicopter crash, state agencies say    Taiwan's new president sworn into historic third term for ruling party    US reaches agreement with Niger to withdraw military forces by September 15    Elon Musk launches SpaceX's satellite internet service in Indonesia    Cloud Seeding Program plans to cover Makkah and Holy Sites using ground-based generators    Saudi Arabia bans import of vehicles from 20 automakers that failed to submit supply plan    King Salman undergoes treatment after diagnosed with lung infection    Oleksandr Usyk claims undisputed heavyweight title in 'Ring of Fire' match in Riyadh    Saudi Arabia: The emerging cultural powerhouse shaping global soft power dynamics    Saudi students shine at international science and engineering competitions, winning 114 awards    Umrah not allowed for those without a Hajj permit between May 24 and June 26    How SP Jain's EMBA meets modern professionals' needs    Jorge Jesus praises Al Hilal's resilience after dramatic last-minute draw in Riyadh Derby    Aramco signs three MoUs with American companies to advance lower-carbon energy solutions    Star golfer Scottie Scheffler arrested over alleged assault on police officer    Saudi Arabia joins International Agency for Research on Cancer    Row erupts over portraits of Australia's richest woman    Al-Ittihad's victory drought continues, misses chance to qualify for ACL elite    Indian spices face heat over global safety concerns    JK Rowling in 'arrest me' challenge over hate crime law    Trump's Bible endorsement raises concern in Christian religious circles    Hollywood icon Will Smith shares his profound admiration for Holy Qur'an    We have celebrated Founding Day for three years - but it has been with us for 300    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Sample Moroccan Tea and pastries at M?venpick Hotel & Residences Hajar
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 03 - 05 - 2013

MAKKAH — Hidden away in its peaceful and welcoming lobby, guests will find another good reason to visit Mövenpick Hotel Makkah: a place where they can sip traditional Moroccan tea and sample pastries that fuse classic Moroccan traditions with Arabic flavors.
Mövenpick Makkah will take you into the mysterious world of Morocco with its five-star service and exquisite gastronomy.
Arabesque woodwork, oriental carpets and cozy cushions greet you around the lobby area, where you can enjoy traditional Moroccan tea and some tasty almond sweets as well.
Our comfortable and elegant bedrooms are ideally located in front of King Abdul Aziz Gate, distinguishing Mövenpick Makkah as a magnificent property with all the amenities of its class, along with a poetic touch.
Once guests enter the lobby area, they will be greeted with a welcoming smile by Mustafa Idberka, our Moroccan tea guru, originally from Casablanca, where they master the Moroccan tea rituals.
The tea ritual is like stepping into an Arab fairy tale. You experience Moroccan tea in small clear glasses. The tea is brewed in a silver pot, with an elongated tulip spout which gives a nice pour. The tea is poured from very high, while raising the pot up and down. This actually aerates the tea, giving it little bubbles. It is a beautiful process. The tea itself is green tea with spearmint.
There is one type of tea Morocco gets from China called gunpowder tea. We mix it with spearmint grown in Morocco, and add sugar.
The tradition in Morocco is to serve it with pastries. In the north of Morocco, it is more usual to drink mint tea, while green tea is more common in the south.
How did it become a popular tradition?
It was the Portuguese D. Catherine of Braganza, queen of England, who took up the habit of drinking tea in the English court. After that, the British who were there introduced tea in Morocco.
It is said that in the XVII century, the British left in Moroccan ports a shipment of tea that had been brought by ship from Asia.
Since then, tea has become a habitual favorite throughout the country. And it is also a good way to get to know Moroccans.
Some figures show that Morocco is the largest importer of Chinese green tea.
If you visit Morocco, you will realize that it is surely true, because they serve it all the time.
You can be received at Moroccan homes with Moroccan tea, or be received in a store (souk) with the same hospitality and tea to drink.
And it can be drunk hot or cold. The brisk taste of intense green tea, coupled with the refreshing burst of fresh mint, is particularly rejuvenating.
What are the benefits of Moroccan tea?
Green tea and mint drinks are relaxing and cleansing, diuretic and draining. Both green tea and mint help with digestion difficulties and, as relaxing teas, are very soothing.
The mint tea, according to some studies, may also help in the treatment of asthma and allergies, and has analgesic properties that help fight pain.
Some scientists even say that it has effects similar to aspirin – which is understandable, because many useful medicines are made from medicinal plants.
How do you make Moroccan tea?
First you have to boil the water; while boiling, add green tea. If you like mint, break the leaves to provide a more intense flavor. Take the tea off the fire and let it stand for a few minutes. Then add sugar if you like it sweet, and more mint if you like. Sometimes we also add other herbs such as sage, thyme and rosemary. The infusion time is about three minutes.
How do you serve it?
In Morocco, tea is served in a Berber pot with Moorish designs, made of brass or plated silver. The service is also very particular. There is a tradition of holding the teapot high and pouring the tea into small glass cups – some with colored stripes. — SG


Clic here to read the story from its source.