Tunisian Mint Tea with Pine Nuts (Atay bel Nana)
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Water — 1 L (4 cups)
- Loose green tea — 3 tbsp
- Large bunch fresh mint — 1
- Sugar, to taste — 4–6 tbsp
- Pine nuts, lightly toasted, to serve — 2 tbsp
Method
- Bring the water to a boil in a kettle or pot.
- Rinse the teapot with a small amount of the boiling water, then discard.
- Add the loose tea to the teapot and pour in about 100 ml (1/3 cup) of the boiling water; swirl briefly, then discard this first rinse water (this removes bitterness).
- Add the fresh mint and sugar to the teapot, then pour in the remaining boiling water.
- Let steep for 5–8 minutes, then stir well.
- Pour a little tea into a glass and back into the pot once or twice to mix evenly, then pour the tea from a height into the glasses to create a light foam.
- Scatter a few toasted pine nuts on top of each glass and serve immediately.
Introduction: Sweet mint tea, often topped with a scattering of toasted pine nuts, is a defining feature of Tunisian
hospitality, served throughout the day to guests and family alike, poured from a height into small glasses to
create a light foam on top.
Cultural Background: Sweet mint tea, often topped with a scattering of toasted pine nuts, is a defining feature of Tunisian
hospitality, served throughout the day to guests and family alike, poured from a height into small glasses to
create a light foam on top.
Tips: Discarding the first rinse of tea removes excess bitterness while keeping the flavour and colour. Pouring from a height is a traditional flourish that aerates the tea and creates a pleasant foam on top.
Variations: Add a few almonds instead of or alongside the pine nuts. Adjust the sugar to taste — Tunisian tea is traditionally quite sweet, but this can be scaled back. Naturally vegan and vegetarian.
Storage: Best brewed fresh; leftover tea can be kept warm in the pot for up to an hour.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove if needed, though freshly brewed tea is preferred.
FAQs:
Q: Why rinse the tea leaves first?
A: It removes excess bitterness from the leaves while preserving their flavour for the main brew.
Q: What are the pine nuts for?
A: They're a traditional garnish that adds a subtle richness and crunch, especially popular in Tunisia compared to neighbouring countries' mint teas.
Q: Can I make it less sweet?
A: Yes, though traditionally Tunisian tea is served quite sweet; adjust the sugar to your preference.
- Water — 1 L (4 cups)
- Loose green tea — 3 tbsp
- Large bunch fresh mint — 1
- Sugar, to taste — 4–6 tbsp
- Pine nuts, lightly toasted, to serve — 2 tbsp
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