Jordanian Mint Tea
Black tea with fresh mint and lemon, brewed and served warm in a Jordanian-inspired style.
Preparation: 5 min · Cooking: 8 min · Total: 15 min · 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 tsp loose black tea
- 5 g fresh mint leaves
- 1000 ml drinking water
- 20 g granulated sugar (optional) — optional, up to 20 g
- 4 pc thin seedless lemon slices — one per cup
Instructions
Measure and wash
Measure 4 tsp loose black tea, 5 g fresh mint leaves and 1 litre drinking water. Wash the mint and four thin lemon slices under running water; remove any lemon seeds. Measure up to 20 g sugar if you want the tea sweet.
Bring the water to a boil
Heat the measured 1 litre drinking water in a kettle or saucepan over high heat until it reaches a full rolling boil (about 100°C). A 5-minute timer is a reminder to check; wait for the visible boil even if it takes longer. Take the water off the heat.
A full rolling boil is visible.
Bring the water to a boil: 300 seconds
Steep the tea and mint
Put the 4 tsp black tea and 5 g mint leaves in a heatproof teapot. Pour in the just-boiled water, cover and steep for 3 minutes; for a stronger cup, leave up to 5 minutes in total, then strain. Taste a cooled spoonful; the tea should smell of mint without harsh bitterness.
Mint-scented tea without harsh bitterness.
Steep the tea and mint: 180 seconds
Strain and sweeten if desired
Pour the steeped tea through a fine strainer into a second heatproof jug. Discard the used tea and mint leaves. If using the optional sugar, stir in up to 20 g until fully dissolved.
No leaves remain; any added sugar is dissolved.
Serve warm with lemon
Divide the strained tea among four heatproof cups and add one seedless lemon slice to each. Allow it to cool to a comfortable drinking temperature. Cool leftovers promptly, cover and refrigerate at 4°C or below for up to 24 hours; warm once if desired.
Tips
- Taste after 3 minutes of steeping; strain by 5 minutes so the black tea does not become harsh.
Common mistakes
- Do not boil loose tea leaves in the saucepan; pour boiling water over them and time the steep.
Substitutions
- Leave out the optional sugar for unsweetened tea; keep the black tea, mint and water amounts unchanged.
Storage
Cool promptly, cover and refrigerate at 4°C or below for up to 24 hours.
Reheating
Warm once gently until hot; do not repeatedly cool and reheat.
About this recipe
Tea with mint is offered to guests in Jordan. This version uses black tea, mint and a lemon slice per cup, with sugar to taste.
Editorial approval does not establish independent kitchen testing. Check allergens and follow safe food handling.