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
