Arabic tea facts for kids
Two glasses of Arabic tea
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| 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 |
Arabic tea, called shay in Arabic (Arabic: شاي عربي, romanized: šāy ʿarabiyy), is a popular hot drink across the Arab world. People have enjoyed it for hundreds of years. It is often served to guests and friends at meetings and social events. Many people believe it is a healthy drink. This is partly because boiling water helps kill germs. Some also think it has extra health benefits.
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Tea's Role in Arab Culture
Tea is a very important drink in the Arab world. People usually drink it with breakfast, after lunch, and with dinner. For Arabs, offering tea shows hospitality. It is a kind way to welcome guests.
Tea is popular because it brings people together. It is a key part of being a good host and showing respect in Arab culture. If someone offers you tea, it is polite to accept it. Turning it down might be seen as rude.
Different Kinds of Arabic Tea
There are many tasty types of Arabic tea. Each one has its own special flavor and uses.
Sage Tea
Sage (Arabic: مريمية, romanized: maramia) tea is often served after a meal. It can help with digestion and tummy troubles like gas or heartburn. This tea has a unique taste. If made without black tea, it does not have caffeine. Many people prefer to use dried sage leaves grown at home for the best flavor.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile (Arabic: بابونج, romanized: bābūnaj) tea is made from dried chamomile flowers. It has many good effects on your body. It can help you feel less stressed and worried. It may also ease pain and help you sleep better if you have trouble with insomnia.
Anise Tea
Anise (Arabic: يانسون, romanized: yānsūn) tea has been known and used for hundreds of years. It is a traditional drink in many places.
Thyme Tea
Thyme (Arabic: زعتر, romanized: zaʿtar) tea is believed to help improve your memory. It can also help clean out your stomach. This tea is full of antioxidants. These are good for your body and may help prevent aging from the inside.
Cardamom Tea
Cardamom (Arabic: هال, romanized: hāl) tea is very common in the Arab world. It is known for its strong, pleasant smell. Sometimes, it is mixed with coffee. People say it helps with digestion and makes more saliva. It is often drunk before meals to get your digestive system ready. Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices. Even so, it is still picked by hand for many Arab customers.
Maghrebi Mint Tea
Maghrebi mint tea (at-tāy) is also called Moroccan mint tea. It is a green tea made with spearmint leaves and sugar. This tea is traditional in the Maghreb region. This area includes countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania. English traders first made this tea. Its popularity then spread across Africa, France, and other nearby countries. The fresh mint in at-tāy helps clean your mouth after meals.
Mint Tea
Mint tea (Arabic: شاي بالنعناع, romanized: šāy bi-l-naʿnāʿ) is often used to help with colds, sore throats, and stuffy noses. It can also help with stomach ulcers. Drinking mint tea may even help with seasonal allergies. This is because it contains rosemarynic acid, which helps reduce swelling.
Black Tea
Black tea (Arabic: شاي أحمر, romanized: šāy ʾaḥmar, lit. 'red tea') is the most common type of tea. A popular brand is Lipton.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus (Arabic: كركديه, romanized: karkadayya) tea can be drunk hot in the winter. In the summer, people often drink it cold. Hibiscus tea has a lot of vitamin C, which is good for your health.
Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon tea or Kuwaiti tea (Arabic: شاي بالقرفة, romanized: šāy bi-l-qirfah) is made by boiling water with cinnamon sticks and sugar. Cinnamon tea has many health benefits. It can help fight bacteria and may help with diabetes. It might also protect your heart and prevent colon problems. Plus, it has many compounds that act as antioxidants.
Dried Lime Tea
Dried lime tea (Arabic: شاي لومي, romanized: šāy lūmiyy) is also known as chai noomi basra or loomi tea. It is an herbal tea made from dried limes. This tea is a traditional drink in Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
How Arabic Tea is Served
Tea in the Arab world is usually a strong, dark mix. It is similar to the "breakfast tea" found in other parts of the world. It is often brewed with sugar and served in tall glasses. Sometimes, it is made with mint or cardamom for extra flavor. A small amount of milk can also be added. In Yemen, black tea is brewed using both water and milk.
