Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Omar ASSIF
Published on 2024-03-18 10:18:00
It is a plant that has been with us since ancient times. It adorns our teapots and perfumes the succession of golden glasses that Moroccans chain together at will, and on any occasion. If our country is known for the importance of tea on its tables and in its ceremonies, the tea-mint blend naturally happened at the time of the first introductions of green tea from China and the Far East. Our ancestors had then spontaneously combined with the new beverage the mint that they already consumed in infusion. Since then, while green tea has always had to be imported, the cultivation of mint has continued to develop and expand. Botanists agree that mint species “originate from temperate and subtropical regions” without pinpointing a single origin of this aromatic and medicinal plant. Under our skies, its ancestral cultivation has nonetheless allowed a multitude of distinct varieties to be born and thrive.
Mints and flavors
Somewhere in the winding streets of the Rabat medina, a respectable man occupies the corner of an alley, behind a lush display of fragrant mints. “He is one of the most well-known merchants in the area when it comes to finding fresh mint. You can find several blends and varieties of plants from various regions of the country,” says one of the customers waiting to be served by the sexagenarian. “Abdi,” “Ziani,” “Meknassi,” “Lbrouj,” “Doukkali,” “Tamaris,” “Tiznit”… The varieties of mint produced in Morocco are diverse and several of them are displayed in the rustic stall of the merchant in a blue smock. “In winter, due to the usual decrease in availability of mint, many turn to absinthe (Chiba in Darija, Editor’s note). Taste is subjective, but personally, I prefer mint and I make the effort to find it even when absinthe is in demand,” confides our interlocutor with a smile.
Mints and colors
In the heart of the Lyalis (the 40 coldest nights of the year, Editor’s note), the display that unfolds before our eyes does not reflect any shortage of mint. The colors of the varieties range in the color spectrum of green. The smells, textures, and flavors they produce seem just as nuanced. “Being from the North of Morocco, mint is particularly important to me, as in our region we usually put it directly in the glasses. Sometimes, I even prefer to drink a mint infusion without adding green tea,” confides another customer waiting in line, adding that he normally can make do with the mint available in local stores, but during Ramadan, he prefers to regularly visit the medina to stock up on high-quality mint. “This is normal because what is as sacred as Ramadan is the glass of tea we have at the end of ftour,” remarks the young man.
Rising prices
After finishing serving his customers, we finally have the full attention of the venerable merchant. “I have been selling mint for over 30 years and I have customers who come from all over the region because they are certain to find a quality product,” our interlocutor insists, mentioning however “difficult times”. “It’s not always easy,” he says after a tired sigh. “Prices are rising, especially for the quality mint that I carefully select. Transport costs have also increased. However, my customers are used to coming to me because they are certain to find products of excellent taste and health quality, but they also come because they are used to generous bouquets for very reasonable prices,” laments the sexagenarian who clearly can no longer maintain the equation without cutting his profit margin. He will certainly find a solution if he reflects on it while enjoying a good mint tea.
Read the original article(French) on L’Opinion
