The art of Moroccan tea at Movenpick Makkah

Hidden away in its peaceful and welcoming lobby, guests will find another good reason to visit Movenpick Hotel Makkah: A place where they can sip traditional Moroccan tea and sample pastries that fuse classic Moroccan traditions with Arabic flavors.
“Movenpick Makkah will take you into the mysterious world of Morocco with its five-star service and exquisite gastronomy,” said a press release.
“Arabesque woodwork, oriental carpets and cozy cushions greet you around the lobby area, where you can enjoy traditional Moroccan tea and some tasty almond sweets as well,” said the release.
“Our comfortable and elegant bedrooms are ideally located in front of King Abdul Aziz Gate, distinguishing Movenpick Makkah as a magnificent property with all the amenities of its class, along with a poetic touch,” it added.
“Once guests enter the lobby area, they will be greeted with a welcoming smile by Mustafa Idberka, our Moroccan tea guru, originally from Casablanca, where they master the Moroccan tea rituals,” the release added.
“The tea ritual is like stepping into an Arab fairy tale. You experience Moroccan tea in small clear glasses. The tea is brewed in a silver pot, with an elongated tulip spout which gives a nice pour. The tea is poured from very high, while raising the pot up and down. This actually aerates the tea, giving it little bubbles. It is a beautiful process. The tea itself is green tea with spearmint,” said the press release.
It added: “There is one type of tea Morocco gets from China called gunpowder tea. We mix it with spearmint grown in Morocco, and add sugar. The tradition in Morocco is to serve it with pastries. In the north of Morocco, it is more usual to drink mint tea, while green tea is more common in the south.”