Mint tea, also referred to as Touareg tea, originates in northern Africa and Arabia, and is flavored with Moroccan mint. This is different from peppermint tea, a much more common concoction popular in the United States and elsewhere. The preparation process of mint tea is a great deal more complicated than peppermint tea preparation, so it's not really as popular with drinkers for home use, and mint tea is often found in fine restaurants as a result.

Just as English tea is steeped in custom and tradition, the preparing and serving of mint tea also has ceremonial uses in the Maghreb countries. Generally, preparation of any beverage, or cooking of any food, for that matter, is the bailiwick of the women. Touareg tea is the exception; the male head of the family readies it as well as serves it to his honored guests, which traditionally receive at least three glasses at each affair.

The preparation of mint tea is a lengthy procedure and the steps are non-trivial. To start with, Chinese green tea must be used as the base of the tea, and boiling water is added to it and allowed to steep for about half a minute. Drinkers believe that this forms the "spirit" of the tea itself, and then the tea is diluted more times with more boiling water. At that point, the mint and sugar are added in, in a ratio of about 1 to five. This blend is then allowed to boil further to help make the flavor more complex, plus more sugar is added, depending on the taste of the drinkers. After 3 to five more minutes, a glass is poured, and then returned to the pot. This step takes place over and over to help blend the tea. Once the tea is ready, a serving process is conducted as part of the tea ceremony. The mint tea is poured into glasses in a way that forces the tea leaves down to the bottom of the glasses in an effort to further improve the taste of the tea.

While mint tea is easily obtainable in pre-packaged form at a good number of stores, the taste isn't as complex as the fresh teas that are made with great care.

Mint tea is considered to be an extremely serious drink of Arabia. It's a good idea to try this tea out and experience the difference between the average pre-packaged version of this tea and the one that is made with great ceremony. The heavy, rich flavors of the mint and sugar are said to almost overwhelm the base taste of the tea. As a caffeinated beverage, Touareg tea is also said to bring short term energy and mental acuity to the drinker, much like a cup of coffee.

To get the best flavors from Mint tea, it's wise to learn how to correctly taste it in order to appreciate its complexities better. You should first plan to drink it in the late afternoon or in the evening, just before you eat a meal. You will not want to have any heavy meals that are laden with salt or spices that will affect the taste of the mint tea. Be sure to brush your teeth no less than one hour before drinking the tea. When first introduced to the Touareg tea, be sure it is freshly prepared and poured, and is at the proper temperature. You do not want to drink immediately from a cup as you normally would with other types of drinks. Use a spoon to scoop up a spoonful of the tea from the cup. Slurp your first taste of the tea, and make certain to do it in a noisy matter. Loudly slurping it ensures that the tea is dispersed over your taste buds evenly. After you have used the spoon to slurp the tea, you can now continue to drink as normal from your cup and enjoy.