شاي بالنعنع

Lebanese Mint Tea

📍 Lebanese Mountains 🍽 Drinks ⏱ Easy

Strong black tea steeped with fresh mint and sweetened generously — the most universal drink in Lebanon and Syria, served after every meal, during every visit, at every hour of the day.

Lebanese shai is not the mint tea of Morocco (which is green tea) nor the plain black tea of Turkey. It is a hybrid born from the Ottoman trade routes: Indian black tea (usually Ceylon or Assam) steeped dark, then softened with fresh spearmint from the kitchen garden and sweetened with white sugar that dissolves into the cup. In the Bekaa Valley and in Idlib, the tea is sometimes brewed with a stick of cinnamon or a few sage leaves (maramiyeh), creating the regional variant called shai bil maramiyeh. Mountain households keep the tea glass (istikan) perpetually warm — refilling it is a gesture of care. "Tfaddal, itfaddal" (please, help yourself) is said as you pour.

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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Bring water to a full boil.
  2. Add black tea to a teapot or saucepan. Pour boiling water over the tea and steep for 3 minutes — 4 if you prefer it stronger.
  3. Wash the fresh mint and add generously to the pot. Cover and steep for 1 more minute.
  4. Pour through a strainer into small glass istikans (tea glasses). The tea should be a deep amber color.
  5. Add sugar directly to the cup — Lebanese tea is customarily sweet. Stir and serve immediately.
  6. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig laid across the top of the glass.

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Step-by-step voice narration guides you hands-free. Faten's Idlib recipes carry her own Syrian-Arabic narration. Charbel Rouhana's original oud plays during Cooking Mode.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lebanese Mint Tea?

Strong black tea steeped with fresh mint and sweetened generously — the most universal drink in Lebanon and Syria, served after every meal, during every visit, at every hour of the day.

Where is Lebanese Mint Tea from?

Lebanese Mint Tea comes from Lebanese Mountains. Sofra documents this recipe as part of its 214-recipe Lebanese and Syrian heritage collection, including 49 dishes from Idlib province.

Is Lebanese Mint Tea vegetarian or vegan?

As written, Lebanese Mint Tea uses only plant-based ingredients, so it is suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets. Always double-check the full ingredient list against your own dietary needs.

What can I use instead of cinnamon stick in Lebanese Mint Tea?

The cinnamon stick called for here is part of the traditional recipe and gives Lebanese Mint Tea its authentic character, so keep it if you can. If you must substitute, choose the closest equivalent you have on hand and adjust to taste — the dish will shift slightly from the traditional version but still work. The Sofra app lists the full ingredient set and sourcing notes.

What do I serve with Lebanese Mint Tea?

In a Lebanese drinks spread, Lebanese Mint Tea is served as a refreshment on its own, warm or chilled as the recipe directs.

Can I make Lebanese Mint Tea ahead, and how do I store leftovers?

This can be made ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator. Stir or shake before serving, and adjust sweetness or dilution to taste.

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