How to Make Arabic Tea (Black Tea with Herbs)

A fragrant and flavourful blend of black tea and herbs, perfect for moments of calm and conversation

Arabic tea is more than just a drink — it’s a symbol of hospitality, tradition, and relaxation. Across the Middle East and North Africa, Arabic tea is commonly served to guests and enjoyed with friends or family throughout the day. Made with black tea and herbs such as mint, cardamom, sage, or clove, this tea offers both comfort and a distinctive taste that sets it apart from typical Western-style brews.

In this blog post, we’ll show you how to prepare a traditional cup of Arabic tea using British English spelling and measurements. Whether you’re serving it to guests or enjoying a quiet moment at home, Arabic tea is a wonderful way to slow down and savour the moment.

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🍃 What Is Arabic Tea?

Arabic tea varies slightly depending on the region. In the Levant, it’s often brewed with fresh mint; in the Gulf region, spices like cardamom or saffron may be used; in Morocco, it’s traditionally made with green tea and mint (known as Moroccan tea). For this recipe, we’ll focus on a simple yet classic version made with black tea and a selection of fragrant herbs.

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🫖 Ingredients (Serves 2)

2 cups (500 ml) water

1½ teaspoons loose black tea leaves (or 2 black tea bags)

6–8 fresh mint leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried mint)

1 small stick of cinnamon (optional)

2 cardamom pods, lightly crushed (optional)

2–3 cloves (optional)

1 teaspoon sugar (adjust to taste)

Optional: slice of lemon or a few strands of saffron

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🥄 Method

1. Boil the Water

Pour the water into a small saucepan or traditional teapot and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat.

2. Add the Tea and Herbs

Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat slightly and add the black tea leaves or tea bags. Then add your chosen herbs and spices — mint, cardamom, cloves, or cinnamon. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 3–5 minutes, depending on how strong you want your tea.

3. Add Sugar

Stir in sugar to your taste. Arabic tea is often mildly sweetened, but you can adjust this depending on your preference. Let the tea simmer for another minute or two.

4. Strain and Serve

Remove the pan from the heat and strain the tea into small glass cups. If you used tea bags, you can simply remove them and pour the tea directly.

5. Garnish and Enjoy

Serve with a mint leaf, a thin slice of lemon, or a piece of date or biscuit on the side for an authentic experience.

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☕ Serving Suggestions

Arabic tea is often served in small glass cups without handles.

It’s commonly enjoyed alongside dates, nuts, or light pastries.

Offer refills — serving tea to guests is a gesture of warmth and hospitality.

In formal settings, tea is sometimes poured from a height to aerate the drink and create a slight foam.

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🌿 Health Benefits

Thanks to the herbs and spices used, Arabic tea may offer several health benefits:

Mint aids digestion and has a soothing aroma.

Cardamom is thought to support heart and respiratory health.

Cloves and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Black tea contains antioxidants that support heart and brain health.

It’s a lovely way to enjoy flavour and wellness in one cup.

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💡 Tips for the Best Arabic Tea

Use filtered water for a cleaner taste.

Let the tea steep properly, but avoid over-boiling, which can make it bitter.

Experiment with herbs: try dried sage, basil, or rose petals for different flavours.

Serve immediately while hot — Arabic tea is best enjoyed fresh and warm.

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🕌 When to Serve Arabic Tea

Arabic tea can be enjoyed at any time of day:

As a morning pick-me-up

With afternoon snacks or sweets

After meals to aid digestion

At social gatherings as a welcoming gesture

It’s not just a drink — it’s a ritual, often shared in moments of conversation, storytelling, and hospitality.

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Final Thoughts

Making Arabic tea at home is a simple yet meaningful way to connect with centuries of tradition. Its unique blend of black tea and herbs delivers not only warmth and comfort but also a cultural richness that enhances every cup. Whether you keep it simple with mint or spice it up with cardamom and cinnamon, Arabic tea invites you to pause and enjoy the moment.

So put the kettle on, gather your herbs, and enjoy a soothing cup of Arabic tea — full of history, flavour, and heart.

--- write ✍️ by foodie Parmod.

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