Atay (Mauritanian Three-Round Mint Tea)
Local name: أتاي
In short: Strong green tea brewed with plenty of sugar and fresh mint, poured from a height into small glasses in three rounds that grow milder each time. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 70 kcal
Atay is the drink that holds Mauritanian social life together. A host brews strong green tea in a small pot, sweetens it and pours it from a height into tiny glasses so a thick foam forms on top. The same leaves are brewed three times, each round milder and sweeter than the last. Refusing a glass is impolite, and the three rounds can stretch into a long conversation.
Instructions
- Rinse a small teapot with boiling water. Add the tea leaves, pour over 100 ml boiling water, swirl for 30 seconds and pour that water out, keeping the leaves.
- Add 300 ml boiling water to the leaves. Set the pot over low heat and let it steep for 5 minutes, until the tea is very dark.
- Add 2 tablespoons sugar. Pour a full glass of tea and pour it back into the pot, repeating 3 or 4 times to dissolve the sugar and mix the brew.
- Serve the first round in small glasses, pouring from about 30 cm (12 in) above so a thick foam forms. The first round is strong with little sugar.
- Add 300 ml more boiling water, half the mint and 3 tablespoons sugar to the same leaves. Steep for 3 minutes, mix by pouring back and forth, then serve the second round.
- Add the remaining 300 ml boiling water, the rest of the mint and the remaining sugar. Steep for 3 minutes, mix and serve the third and mildest round.
Tips
- Gunpowder tea is tightly rolled green tea and holds up to long brewing. Any strong green tea works, but use less water.
- Pouring from a height is mostly for the foam. If you do it over a sink at first, you will get the hang of it without spills.
Questions and answers
Why is Mauritanian tea poured three times?
The same leaves are brewed three times. Each round is milder and sweeter than the one before, and guests are expected to drink all three.
How is it different from Moroccan mint tea?
Mauritanian atay is typically stronger, with less mint at the start and with more emphasis on the foam. It is served in small glasses in rounds rather than one big pot.
Can I use less sugar?
Yes, but the sweetness is part of the balance with the strong tea. Start with half and adjust.
How long does it take to make Atay (Mauritanian Three-Round Mint Tea)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Atay (Mauritanian Three-Round Mint Tea)?
About 70 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 70 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
