Arabic tea

Short description: Hot drinks popular throughout the Arab world

Arabic tea

Two glasses of Arabic tea

Alternative names| šāy ʿarabiyy
Type| Tea
Course| Drink
Place of origin| Arab world
Region or state| Arab World
Associated national cuisine| Arab cuisine
Serving temperature| Hot

* Cookbook: Arabic tea

Arabic teapot in Morocco

Arabic tea (Arabic: شَايْ عَرَبي, romanized: šhāy ʿarabiyy, pronounced shay ar) is a variety of hot teas popular throughout the Arab world. It is commonly served to guests and business partners at meetings and social events, and has been drunk by Arab people for centuries.[1][2] Unlike Iranian and Turkish tea, Arabic tea is not served as black tea but rather flavored with spices like anise or cinnamon, or fresh herbs like spearmint.[3][4]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Culture
* 3 Varieties
* 3.1 Herbal tea
* 4 Serving
* 5 See also
* 6 References

## History

Tea was first cultivated in ancient China during the Shang Dynasty (1766–1050 BC). Preferred for its medicinal properties, tea made its way to the Middle East as soon as Arab merchants started travelling the Silk Road who brought tea back to their own nations. Tea developed from a basic beverage to an essential part of the regional way of life as it became more popular across the Middle East.[5][6]

## Culture

Tea is an important drink in the Arab world and is usually served with breakfast, after lunch, and with dinner. For Arabs, tea denotes hospitality, and is typically served to guests. Tea owes its popularity to its social nature; it is an important aspect of hospitality and business etiquette in Arab culture. Rejecting a cup of tea may sometimes be considered rude.[7][8][9]

## Varieties

There are many different types of Arabic tea:

Arabic tea in Libya with peanuts Maghrebi mint tea in Morocco Black tea in Tunisia

* Sage (Arabic: مريمية, romanized: maramia) tea is typically served after a meal to aid in digestion and eliminate gas or heartburn.[10][11][self-published source]
* Anise (Arabic: يانسون, romanized: yānsūn) tea has been well known for hundreds of years.[12][13][14]
* Thyme (Arabic: زعتر, romanized: zaʿtar) tea is rich in antioxidants.[15]
* Cardamom (Arabic: هال, romanized: hāl) tea is very common in the Arab world, and is known for its strong aroma. It is sometimes mixed with coffee, and is said to help digestion and increase saliva flow. It is drunk before meals to prepare digestive enzymes. Although one of the most expensive spices in the world, cardamom is still largely harvested by hand for many Arab customers.[citation needed]
* Maghrebi mint tea (at-tāy): (Arabic: الشاي, romanized: aš-šāy; Maghrebi Arabic: التاي at-tāy) is a green tea prepared with spearmint leaves and sugar, traditional to the Maghreb region (the northwest African countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania).[4][16]
* Mint tea (Arabic: شاي بالنعناع, romanized: šāy bi-l-naʿnāʿ) is especially popular in parts of the Arab world.[17] It is commonly used to get over colds, a sore throat, sinus congestion, and stomach ulcers.[citation needed]
* Black tea (Arabic: شاي أحمر, romanized: šāy ʾaḥmar, lit. 'red tea') is the most common.[1]
* Cinnamon tea or Kuwaiti tea (Arabic: شاي بالقرفة, romanized: šāy bi-l-qirfah) is created by putting water in a boiler together with cinnamon sticks and sugar.[18][14]
* Bedouin tea (شاي بدوي) is prepared by the nomadic bedouins on an open fire and typically includes a mix of dried herbs, like thyme or sage.[19][20][21] Spices are also common in bedouin tea, like cardamom or cinnamon.[22][23]

### Herbal tea

* Hibiscus (Arabic: كركديه, romanized: karkadayya) tea is drunk hot in the winter and cold in the summer.[citation needed]
* Dried lime tea (Arabic: شاي لومي, romanized: šāy lūmiyy) also known as chai noomi basra, noomi basra tea or loomi tea, is a type of herbal tea made from dried limes that is traditional to Iraq, Kuwait, Oman and United Arab Emirates.[citation needed]
* Chamomile (Arabic: بابونج, romanized: bābūnaj) tea is made by brewing dried chamomile flowers for medicinal use.[24]
* Qurniyya (قرنية, Micromeria fruticosa) medicinal tea, made to treat a variety of ailments.[25]

## Serving

Tea in the Arab world is usually a strong dark mix, similar to the so-called "breakfast tea" served in other parts of the world. Often brewed with sugar and served in long glasses, it can also be made with mint or cardamom, or with a dash of milk. In Yemen, black tea is brewed in water and milk.[26]

## See also

* Arab culture
* Arab cuisine
* Arabic coffee
* Libyan tea
* Shahi haleeb
* Tea culture
* Turkish tea

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Syrian Drinks - Syrian Tea - Arab Culture and Hospitality -" (in en-US). The Official Globe Trekker Website. http://www.pilotguides.com/articles/syrian-drinks-repast-in-a-teacup/.
2. ↑ "Arabian Tea" (in en). https://prezi.com/r-upyncstrij/famous-arabic-tea/.
3. ↑ Basan, Ghillie (2006). "Chai" (in en). Middle Eastern Kitchen. Hippocrene Books. pp. 38-40. ISBN 978-0-7818-1190-3. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Middle_Eastern_Kitchen/-7wnpIi3VRwC?gbpv=1&pg=PA39. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Helou, Anissa (3 November 2015). "Beverages" (in en). Sweet Middle East: Classic Recipes, from Baklava to Fig Ice Cream. Chronicle Books. ISBN 978-1-4521-3062-0. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Sweet_Middle_East/GF5oCgAAQBAJ. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
5. ↑ "Food History & Culture" (in en). https://www.munchery.com/blog/the-history-and-importance-of-tea-in-middle-eastern-culture/.
6. ↑ Marks, Gil (17 November 2010). "Tea" (in en). Encyclopedia of Jewish Food. HMH. ISBN 978-0-544-18631-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=gFK_yx7Ps7cC&pg=PT1807. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
7. ↑ Marsh, Donna (11 May 2015) (in en). Doing Business in the Middle East: A cultural and practical guide for all business professionals. Little, Brown Book Group. ISBN 978-1-4721-3567-4. https://books.google.com/books?id=N6mkBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT179. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
8. ↑ Riolo, Amy (2008). "Arabian Tea Party" (in en). Arabian Delights: Recipes & Princely Entertaining Ideas from the Arabian Peninsula. Capital Books. pp. 44–54. ISBN 978-1-933102-55-9. https://books.google.com/books?id=7IoaOFcJYAAC&pg=PA45. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
9. ↑ "Tea is brewing a comeback in Saudi society" (in en). Arab News. 15 August 2025. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2611948/saudi-arabia.
10. ↑ "الميرمية.. فوائدها للجسم وأضرارها المحتملة على الحامل والمرضع" (in ar). Al Jazeera. 2024. https://www.aljazeera.net/health/2022/10/5/الميرمية.
11. ↑ "Maramia- Sage Tea | Rooted In Salt" (in en-US). Rooted In Salt. 2014-07-31. http://www.rootedinsalt.com/2014/07/maramia-sage-tea/.
12. ↑ "Anise Tea (Yansoon) - Taste of Beirut" (in en-US). Taste of Beirut. 2009-10-24. https://www.tasteofbeirut.com/anise-tea-yansoon/.
13. ↑ Salloum, Habeeb (28 February 2012) (in en). Arabian Nights Cookbook: From Lamb Kebabs to Baba Ghanouj, Delicious Homestyle Arabian Cooking. Tuttle Publishing. p. 152. ISBN 978-1-4629-0524-9. https://www.google.de/books/edition/Arabian_Nights_Cookbook/v5TTAgAAQBAJ. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Iyengar, Krishnaraj (21 July 2017). "The world in a teacup: brews that hit the spot" (in en). Indulgexpress. https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/cover-story/2017/Jul/21/saucers-full-of-secrets-brews-that-can-hit-the-spot-2765.html.
15. ↑ "Health Benefits of Za'atar | Organic Facts" (in en-US). Organic Facts. 2016-02-02. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/zaatar.html.
16. ↑ "The Art of Moroccan Mint Tea and How to Brew It". http://www.organicauthority.com/eco-chic-table/the-art-of-moroccan-mint-tea-and-how-to-brew-it.html.
17. ↑ Marks, Gil (17 November 2010). "Tea" (in en). Encyclopedia of Jewish Food. HMH. ISBN 978-0-544-18631-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=gFK_yx7Ps7cC. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
18. ↑ "9 فوائد مدهشة ومثيرة للقرفة عليك أن تعرفها" (in ar-AR). FoodKum│فوودكُم. 2016-02-10. https://foodkum.com/herbs/cinnamon-health-benefits-and-side-effects.
19. ↑ "فوائد صحية كثيرة في فنجان شاي أردني" (in ar). Asharq Al-Awsat. 2017. https://aawsat.com/home/article/860331/فوائد-صحية-كثيرة-في-فنجان-شاي-أردني.
20. ↑ Riolo, Amy (2008) (in en). Arabian Delights: Recipes & Princely Entertaining Ideas from the Arabian Peninsula. Capital Books. ISBN 978-1-933102-55-9. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Arabian_Delights/7IoaOFcJYAAC?gbpv=1&pg=PA162. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
21. ↑ Orr, Amanda (5 December 2019). "Camping with the Bedouins in southern Jordan". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/camping-with-the-bedouins-in-southern-jordan/2019/12/05/f3f83202-0fc5-11ea-9cd7-a1becbc82f5e_story.html.
22. ↑ "كوباية الشاي بين الزردة والحطب.. ماذا تعرف عن سلطان المشاريب عند العرب والراعي الرسمي لمزاج المصريين؟| صور" (in ar). Al-Ahram. 2025. https://gate.ahram.org.eg/News/5175945.aspx.
23. ↑ Kassis, Reem (23 October 2017) (in en). The Palestinian Table. Phaidon Press. ISBN 978-0-7148-7496-8. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Palestinian_Table/Pmm2tAEACAAJ. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
24. ↑ "Chai Babooneh - Chamomile Tea". 25 November 2012. http://turmericsaffron.blogspot.ch/2012/11/chai-babooneh-chamomile-tea.html.
25. ↑ Shehab, Naglaa Gamil; Abu-Gharbieh, Eman (July 2012). "Constituents and biological activity of the essential oil and the aqueous extract of Micromeria fruticosa (L.) Druce subsp. serpyllifolia". Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 25 (3): 687–692. ISSN 1011-601X. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22713962/. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
26. ↑ Yemeni Tea. shebayemenifood.com. 05.30.2012.

* v
* t
* e

Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Common
varieties|

| Black tea|

* Assam
* Bohea
* Ceylon
* Congou
* Darjeeling
* Dianhong
* Kangra
* Keemun
* Lapsang souchong (Jin Jun Mei)
* Nilgiri
* Tibeti
* Rize
* Yingdehong

|

Oolong tea|

* Bai Jiguan
* Ban Tian Yao
* Bu Zhi Chun
* Da Hong Pao
* Darjeeling oolong
* Dong ding
* Dongfang Meiren
* Gaoshan
* Huangjin Gui
* Huang Meigui
* Jin Xuan
* Qilan
* Pouchong
* Rougui
* Ruanzhi
* Shui Jin Gui
* Shui Hsien
* Tieluohan
* Tieguanyin

Green tea|

* Anji bai cha
* Aracha
* Baimao Hou
* Bancha
* Biluochun
* Chun Mee
* Dafang
* Genmaicha
* Lu'an Melon Seed
* Gunpowder
* Gyokuro
* Hōjicha
* Taiping houkui
* Huangshan Maofeng
* Hyson
* Kabusecha
* Kamairicha
* Konacha
* Kukicha
* Longjing
* Matcha
* Maojian
* Mecha
* Mengding Ganlu
* Sencha
* Shincha
* Tamaryokucha

White tea|

* Bai Mudan
* Baihao Yinzhen
* Darjeeling White
* Shoumei

Yellow tea|

* Junshan Yinzhen
* Huoshan Huangya

Fermented tea|

* Pu-erh
* Doncha
* Lahpet

Blended or
flavoured teas|

* Earl Grey (Lady Grey)
* Breakfast tea (English, Irish)
* English afternoon tea
* Jasmine tea
* Lapsang souchong
* Masala chai
* Mint tea
* Maghrebi mint tea
* Prince of Wales
* Russian Caravan

General|

* Australian
* Chinese
* British
* Korean
* Nepali
* Taiwanese
* Turkish
* Vietnamese

Culture|

| Customs|

* Afternoon/High tea/Evening meal
* Tea party
* Tasseography
* Tea ceremony
* Japanese
* Chinese
* Korean
* Yum cha

|

Areas|

* Tea garden
* Teahouse or tearoom
* Cha chaan teng
* Chashitsu
* Mizuya
* Sukiya-zukuri
* Roji

By country|

* American
* Arab
* Argentine
* Azerbaijani
* Brazilian
* Chinese
* Dominican
* Hong Kong
* Indian
* Mexican
* Pakistani
* Russian
* Senegalese
* Taiwanese

History|

* China
* India
* Japan

Production and
distribution|

* Leaf grading
* Processing
* Decaffeination
* Tasting
* Cultivation
* Diseases
* Predation
* Companies
* Consumption by country
* Auctions
* London
* Chittagong
* Guwahati

| By country|

* Bangladesh
* Kenya
* Sri Lanka
* United States

|

Preparation|

* Flowering teas
* Infusion
* Decoction
* ISO procedure
* Steeping
* Tea bag
* Tea brick

Health|

* Health effects
* Phenolic content
* Compounds
* Caffeine
* Theanine
* Flavan-3-ol
* Catechin
* Epigallocatechin gallate
* Theaflavin

Tea-based
drinks|

* Bubble tea
* Builder's tea
* Butter tea
* Chifir
* Doodh pati chai
* Hong Kong-style milk tea
* Iced tea
* Arnold Palmer
* Jagertee
* Kahwah
* Lei cha
* Milk tea
* Noon chai
* Seven-layered tea
* Shahi haleeb
* Suutei tsai
* Sweet tea
* Teh tarik
* Thai tea
* Troq chai
* Yuenyeung

See also|

* Teaware
* Chest
* Caddy
* Strainer
* Infuser
* Teacup
* Teapot
* Gaiwan
* Tea set
* Literature
* Classical
* Coffee
* Herbal tea
* Dried lime
* Ginger
* Guayusa
* Koththamalli
* Kuding
* Mate
* Kombucha
* Bak kut teh
* List of Chinese teas
* Lipton Institute of Tea
* Teas of related species
* Camellia japonica
* Camellia sasanqua
* Camellia taliensis
* Tea Research and Extension Station
* Tea seed oil
* Boston Tea Party

* Drink Portal
* Category:Tea
* Coffee & Tea Task Force

Template:Levantine cuisine

0.00

(0 votes)

Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic tea. Read more

|

Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Engineering:Arabic_tea&oldid=4382731"
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template