*FOR T&CS SEE P179.
WITH THANKS TO
N1 GARDEN CENTRE
(N1GC.CO.UK)
, SAHARA RESTAURANT
(SAHARARESTAURANT.CO)
, IBERICA LONDON
(IBERICALONDON.CO.UK),
SIMON MAINOO AND THE STAFF OF MOMO LONDON
and a tea of the same name. This signature drink
contains cinnamon and cloves – both said to be
aphrodisiacs.
Other cafés in Marrakech, such as the trendy
Kechmara
(kechmara.com)
, are pepping up the
traditional brew for the young savvy customer, serving a
chilled mint tea without too much sugar, or extending
the theme into cocktails and mocktails. “In summer, an
infusion of iced verbena is excellent,” recommends
owner Arnaud Foltran.
There are as many ways of preparing tea as there are
Moroccans, but the French restaurateur has a saying that
nicely sums up what makes it so special: “
C’est l’amour
et l’attention avec lequel il est préparé qui faite toute la
difference
[it’s the love and attention in the way that it’s
prepared that makes all the difference],” he reveals
poetically, before checking himself ever so slightly, “Oh,
and the quality of the mint, of course.”
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Marrakech
need to know
(
80
)
Percent of Moroccans who can claim
some Berber descent
(
6
)
Major versions of the Berber language,
each spoken by about two million people
(
951
)
Years since Marrakech was founded by
Abu Bakr ibn Umar, a Berber cheftain
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Five nights B&B at the four-star Hotel
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TASTING NOTES
07
Rosewater is just one
of the flavour
variations
08
Rosemary, along with
other leaves such as
chamomile, enrich
the infusion
09
Lemon verbena is
used to aid digestion
10
Tea is often served
alongside biscuits
11
In some areas, pine
nuts are a common
addition
12
Saffron gives the tea
a dusky, pink hue
“
C’est l’amour et l’attention
avec lequel il est préparé qui
faite toute la difference
[it’s the love and attention
in the way that it’s prepared
that makes the difference]”
things as we see an influx of multicultural food.”
These intrepid tea drinkers could do worse than make
a beeline for London’s Momo
(25 Heddon Street, W1,
momoresto.com
), which offers an authentic Moroccan
afternoon tea, complete with specialist infusions,
meze and hookah pipes. Nearby, Momo’s funky sister
establishment, Sketch
(sketch.uk.com)
, has just started
‘twilight’ tea sessions in the evenings with JING tea and
cocktails for a modern take on the trend.
Back in Marrakech, traditional mint tea can be
enjoyed in a peaceful anterior tea salon at Pâtisserie des
Princes on Rue Bab Agnaou
(+212 044 443 033)
or amid
the hustle and bustle of the expansive terrace
overlooking Jemaa el Fna square at Le Grand Balcon
Café Glacier. For an upmarket experience, visit Hotel
La Mamounia
(mamounia.com)
.
Elsewhere, pop in to the Ensemble Artisanal, on
Avenue Mohammed V
(+212 243 86758)
, for
thé aux épices
– an infusion of fresh herbs, including chamomile,
verbena and rosemary - or head for the roof of the Café
des Epices
(cafedesepices.net)
in the heart of the souks
0 7 9
B E R B E R T E A
M A R R A K E C H
