Arabic tea, also known as shay bil na’na’a (pronounced shy bil nah-nah-ah), is a popular beverage throughout the Middle East and North Africa. This tea is a symbol of hospitality, and Arabics have traditionally consumed it in social settings and even for business. While this tea has long been a staple of Arab culture, there is a growing interest in Arabic tea around the world, particularly in Nigeria. Arabic tea is popular among Nigerian northerners as well. In this article, we will learn more about Arabic tea.
Varieties of Arabic Tea
Arabic tea has a variety of bases. One brewed from black tea, which is the most common. The other is produced using natural ingredients such as sage. This tea is scented with popular herbs such as mint, cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom.
One thing about this tea is that each region of the world has its own method of preparing Arabic tea. Each region modifies the classic Arabic tea recipe, resulting in a unique taste and experience.
Example
Morocco’s Maghrebi mint tea: This tea is brewed from green tea leaves and fresh mint leaves. Sugar is added, sometimes a lot of sugar, along with boiling water. Then it’s served in little cups.
Libya’s Arabic tea with peanuts: Loose leaf black tea is used. The peanuts are then added to the teapot while it is brewing. Cardamom or other spices may be added. After brewing, the tea is served in little cups.
How To Make Nigerian Arabic Tea
Ingredients
- Premade arabic herbal tea or mint, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, cloves, pimento, all blended
- Sugar or honey
- Lipton bag (optional)
Recipe
Step 1: Pour water into a saucepan and add either ready arabic herbal tea from the grocery store or the mixed spices described above.
Step 2: If you want to use sugar instead of honey, pour it in at this point. Open the Lipton bag and pour the contents into the pot of water containing arabic tea spice. Stir and boil for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Sieve the mixture into a teapot.
Step 4: If you didn’t add sugar before boiling, add the honey and stir.
Step 5: Serve in a teacup.
Health Benefits of Arabic Tea
Arabic tea is incredibly healthy due to its abundance of components, each of which has unique benefits.
Black tea
- Protect the body against free radicals and oxidative stress.
- Improves brain health
Mint
- Aids in digestion
- Soothes stomach issues
Sage tea
- Aids in digestion
Cardamom
- Promotes heart health
- Improves skin complexion
Pimento
- Pain relief
- Improves circulation
Conclusion
While arabic tea has long been a staple of Arab culture, there is a growing interest in Arabic tea around the world, particularly in Nigeria. Arabic tea is popular among Nigerian northerners as well.
Arabic tea has a variety of bases. One brewed from black tea, which is the most common. The other is produced using natural ingredients such as sage. This tea is scented with popular herbs such as mint, cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom. Arabic tea is incredibly healthy due to its abundance of components, each of which has unique benefits.
