Green Tea with Mint – the Algerian way
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 tbsp green tea
- About 5 to 6 whole cloves(optional)
- About 1 1/2 cups fresh mint leaves( or dried leaves)
- Water
- Sugar to taste
Equipment
- 2 teapots
Instructions
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Fill the first teapot with water.
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Place the teapot on medium heat and bring the water to a boil.
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Set aside.
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In the second teapot, put the green tea.
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Pour about 1 cup boiled water (from the first teapot) on the green tea in the second teapot.
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Shake the second teapot with green tea for few seconds to rinse the tea.
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Pour the water in a cup and discard that water. Note that my teapot comes with a built in strainer, if you don’t have that, just strain the green tea with a mesh strainer.
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Repeat the operation for the second time by pouring 1 cup boiled water on the green tea.
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Shake again the second teapot with the green tea for few seconds, then pour the water in a cup.
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Discard that water.
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Add the whole cloves and mint leaves to the rinsed green tea in the second teapot.
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Cover with boiled water (about 3/4 of the teapot). I have used around 5 US cups boiled water.
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Place the teapot on a very low heat.
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Let the tea cook on low for about 30 minutes.
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Remove from heat.
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Pour the tea in a serving teapot.
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If you like your tea sweet, then add sugar to the teapot and make sure to mix the sugar well by pouring the tea in a cup then pour it back in the teapot several times.
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Even if I don’t add sugar to my tea as I prefer serving it with sugar aside, I always pour the tea in a cup then pour it back in the teapot several times to get that white froth.
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Serve the tea in tea cups.
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Add mint leaves if you like.
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Add sugar to your liking.
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Stir then enjoy.
Recipe Notes
- Strain the tea in a mesh strainer if your teapot doesn’t come with a built in strainer.
- If you want your tea to be stronger, just add more green tea( may be double the amount given in this recipe).
- The first tea made is usually stronger. If you want a medium tea, simply strain the first tea made, then add water to it and reuse the green tea and mint in it. Let cook on low again.
- If you want a lighter tea, then strain again the 2nd tea, and reuse the green tea again by adding water to it. Again, cook on low.
- If you don’t have 2 teapots, you can use 2 saucepans.