Strong and healthy, Arabic tea is one of the flavors and secrets of the Orient. Dark in color, this drink has a characteristic flavor that is similar to some teas we find on the market. Its preparation is done quickly and is usually served with a large amount of sugar. Arabic tea can also be taken with a little milk, cardamom or fresh mint leaves.

How to prepare Arabic tea?

To taste the Arabic tea, you can prepare it yourself at home. Check out the following recipe:

Ingredients:

  • Mint or fresh sage to taste;
  • Black tea bag or bulk black tea;
  • Small strainer or bulk tea diffuser;
  • Sugar to taste.

Preparation mode:

  1. Bring to a boil the amount of water, according to the desired portions of tea;
  2. Chop fresh mint or sage;
  3. Prepare a teapot or cups;
  4. Measure out three tablespoons of loose tea and add to the filter;
  5. Place fresh mint or sage over the tea and leave it over the opening in the diffuser (of the teapot or cup), or even inside the teapot together with the ingredients;
  6. If you are using tea bags, the indication is to put them in the cups or teapots, along with the mint or sage leaves;
  7. Pour boiling water into the container of your choice, over the tea and fresh leaves;
  8. Allow the diffuser or tea bags to rest for a period of five minutes or until dark as desired;
  9. Keep the teapot filter submerged in water and leave the bags in the leaf cups for five minutes;
  10. Sweeten with sugar to taste, or add cardamom seeds, honey or lemon during preparation, for special flavors.

The karkadeh (hibiscus flower) tea

Legend has it that in Egypt, when a business conversation proves to be long, Karkadeh’s tea is offered right at the start of the transaction. The drink made with the dried petals of the hibiscus flower is very popular in Syria, and can be drunk cold or hot.

Hibiscus flower tea is calming, diuretic, aids digestion and is an ally in combating hypertension and high levels of fat and glucose in the blood.

Karkadeh tea recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon of hibiscus flower;
  • 1 liter of filtered water;
  • Sugar to taste.

Preparation method:

Boil the water, reduce the heat and add the hibiscus petals until they release sap. After 30 seconds, turn off the heat and wait for the color of the drink to become more vivid. Do not let the tea boil.