Key takeaways

• Mint green tea blends green tea with spearmint or peppermint.
• Moroccan mint tea uses Gunpowder green tea, fresh spearmint and sugar.
• Spearmint is sweet and mild; peppermint is stronger and cooler.
• It is refreshing hot, sweet or iced.
• Hakgala blends Ceylon green tea with dried mint.

Introduction

Few drinks are as refreshing as mint green tea. The cool, sweet aroma of mint lifts the fresh taste of green tea, creating a cup that is invigorating on a hot afternoon, soothing after a meal and delicious iced. In North Africa and the Middle East, sweet mint tea made with green tea is a national tradition and a symbol of hospitality. Around the world, mint green tea is one of the most popular flavoured green teas.

Hakgala, the Ceylon tea brand of Raiden (Pvt) Ltd, blends Ceylon green tea from Raiden’s own plantations with dried mint leaves in its Mint Green Tea. It is produced under local and international certifications, and Dsigngo Marketing manages the brand worldwide.

This article explains the different types of mint, the famous tradition of Moroccan mint tea, why green tea and mint work so well together, how Hakgala makes its blend, how to brew it hot and iced, recipes, pairings and advice for hotels, restaurants and retailers.

What is mint green tea?

Mint green tea is green tea blended with mint: usually dried spearmint or peppermint leaves, sometimes with natural mint flavour. It combines:

• Green tea: fresh, light and slightly grassy, with gentle astringency.
• Mint: cool, sweet and aromatic.

The result is a light, clean cup with a cooling finish. Mint green tea is different from mint tea or peppermint tea made only from mint leaves, which is a herbal infusion without tea and without caffeine.

Spearmint and peppermint

Peppermint is a natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint. It contains more menthol, the compound that creates mint’s cooling sensation, so it tastes stronger and colder. Spearmint contains less menthol and more of a sweeter aromatic compound, giving it a softer, sweeter flavour. Many mint teas use spearmint for sweetness, peppermint for intensity, or a blend of the two.

The tradition of Moroccan mint tea

In Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and across the Sahara, mint tea, often called atay, is far more than a drink. It is a ritual of welcome and friendship, served to guests, after meals and throughout the day.

Green tea reached Morocco through trade in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and the tradition of brewing it with fresh spearmint and plenty of sugar grew into a national custom. The tea used is usually Gunpowder green tea, whose tightly rolled pellets give a strong, slightly smoky green tea that stands up to mint and sugar (see Ceylon Green Tea Grades: Chunmee, Gunpowder, Young Hyson, Sencha and More).

How Moroccan mint tea is traditionally made

1. Gunpowder green tea is placed in a metal teapot and briefly rinsed with hot water, which is poured away.
2. Fresh spearmint and sugar are added, and the pot is filled with boiling water.
3. The tea brews for a few minutes, sometimes on a low flame.
4. The tea is poured into a glass and back into the pot several times to mix the sugar.
5. It is then poured from a height into small glasses, creating a light foam on top.

Tradition says that guests are offered three glasses, each tasting different as the tea brews longer. Refusing tea can be seen as impolite.

The art of pouring from a height

Pouring mint tea from a height is not only for show. It has several purposes:

• Mixing: pouring back and forth between glass and pot mixes the sugar evenly.
• Aerating: the long pour adds air to the tea, which softens its flavour and releases the mint’s aroma.
• Foam: a good pour creates a light foam on top of the glass, which is considered a sign of a well-made tea.
• Cooling: the tea cools slightly as it falls, so it is pleasant to drink straight away.

A skilled host can pour from half a metre or more without spilling a drop, and the performance is part of the welcome.

Mint tea and hospitality

In many North African and Middle Eastern homes, offering mint tea is the first act of hospitality. The host often prepares the tea in front of guests, adjusting the mint and sugar to their taste. Accepting a glass is polite, and the three-glass tradition encourages guests to stay and talk. Hotels and restaurants that serve mint tea in this style create a warm, memorable welcome.

How sweet should mint tea be?

Traditional Moroccan mint tea is very sweet, but sweetness is personal. Many modern drinkers prefer less sugar. Start with one teaspoon per glass and adjust. Honey gives a softer sweetness, and unsweetened mint green tea is wonderfully refreshing, especially iced. Hakgala Mint Green Tea is unsweetened, so you can choose exactly how sweet to make it.

Why green tea and mint work together

• Freshness: both green tea and mint have fresh, green flavours that reinforce each other.
• Balance: green tea’s gentle astringency balances mint’s sweetness.
• Cooling: mint’s menthol gives a cooling sensation that makes green tea even more refreshing.
• Versatility: the combination works hot, iced, sweetened or unsweetened.

Ceylon green tea, with its slightly fuller body, gives mint green tea a satisfying depth (see Ceylon Green Tea: How It Is Made and Brewed).

How Hakgala makes Mint Green Tea

Hakgala Mint Green Tea combines Ceylon green tea from Raiden’s own plantations with dried mint leaves. The tea and mint are blended evenly so every cup has the same balance of fresh green tea and cool mint, tasted hot and iced, and sealed in Sri Lanka to protect the mint’s volatile aroma.

How Hakgala Mint Green Tea tastes

How to brew mint green tea

Hot

1. Heat fresh water to 75–80°C.
2. Use 2 grams of tea (one teaspoon) or one tea bag per 250ml cup.
3. Brew for 2–3 minutes.
4. Drink it plain, or with a little honey or sugar.

Moroccan-style (sweet)

1. Rinse 2 teaspoons of Hakgala Mint Green Tea briefly with hot water and discard the water.
2. Add a handful of fresh spearmint and 2–4 teaspoons of sugar.
3. Fill the pot with hot water and brew for 3–4 minutes.
4. Pour from a height into small glasses.

Iced

Brew double-strength tea at 80°C for 3 minutes, sweeten lightly, cool and pour over ice with fresh mint and lime. Or cold-brew 10 grams in a litre of cold water in the fridge for 6–8 hours.

Four mint tea recipes

Mint green tea mojito (alcohol-free)

Muddle lime wedges, fresh mint and a teaspoon of sugar in a glass. Fill with ice, add cold mint green tea and top with soda water.

Mint tea lemonade

Mix equal parts cold mint green tea and fresh lemonade. Serve over ice with mint sprigs.

Mint green tea smoothie

Blend 100ml of cold mint green tea with cucumber, green apple, a handful of spinach and a little honey for a fresh green smoothie.

Mint tea granita

Freeze sweetened mint green tea in a shallow tray, scraping it with a fork every 30 minutes until icy crystals form. Serve in chilled glasses.

What to eat with mint green tea

• North African and Middle Eastern food: tagines, couscous, grilled meats and flatbreads.
• Sweets: dates, almond pastries, baklava and honey cakes.
• Spicy food: curries, biryani and Sri Lankan rice and curry, where mint cools the palate.
• Light meals: salads, grilled fish and vegetable dishes.
• After meals: as a refreshing digestif.

Mint tea around the world

• Morocco and North Africa: sweet Gunpowder green tea with fresh spearmint, served as a sign of welcome.
• The Middle East and Gulf: mint tea is popular after meals and in cafés, often with black or green tea.
• Türkiye: mint is sometimes added to tea or served as a separate herbal tea.
• South Asia: fresh mint appears in drinks such as mint lemonade and in chutneys served with tea-time snacks.
• Europe and North America: mint green tea is a popular tea bag flavour and iced tea.

Mint in Sri Lanka

Mint (known in Sinhala as minchi) is grown in Sri Lankan home gardens and used in sambols, chutneys and drinks. Mint sambol, made with fresh mint, coconut, green chilli and lime, is a favourite side dish. A cup of mint green tea after a Sri Lankan rice and curry is a refreshing way to cool the palate.

Growing your own mint

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and fresh leaves make mint tea even better:

• Grow it in a pot. Mint spreads quickly through underground runners, so a pot keeps it under control.
• Give it moisture and some shade. Mint likes damp soil and grows well in partial shade, which suits many Sri Lankan gardens and balconies.
• Harvest often. Pinch off the tips regularly to keep the plant bushy.
• Use it fresh. Add a few fresh leaves to Hakgala Mint Green Tea, iced teas and mocktails, or freeze chopped mint in ice cubes for cold drinks.

Mint tea on the menu

How to judge a good mint green tea

1. Fresh mint aroma: cool and clean, not dusty or medicinal.
2. Balance: you should taste both the green tea and the mint.
3. Visible mint leaves: a sign of real mint.
4. Pale, clear liquor: yellow-green, not brown.
5. Clean finish: refreshing, without harshness.

Why mint feels cool

Mint does not actually lower the temperature of a drink. Its cooling effect comes from menthol, which activates the same sensors in the mouth that respond to cold. The brain interprets this signal as a cool sensation, even when the tea is hot. That is why mint tea can feel refreshing even on a hot day, and why iced mint tea feels doubly cold. Peppermint contains more menthol than spearmint, so it feels colder and sharper; spearmint feels gentler and sweeter.

Mint green tea through the day

• Morning: a light, refreshing alternative to coffee, with a gentle lift from the green tea.
• After lunch: a classic after-meal tea that leaves the mouth feeling fresh.
• Afternoon: iced with lime as a cool pick-me-up.
• Evening: a light cup after dinner; choose a smaller cup if you are sensitive to caffeine.

Loose tea or tea bags?

Caffeine and wellbeing

Mint green tea contains caffeine from the green tea. Mint itself does not contain caffeine. Mint has long been enjoyed after meals in many cultures, but Hakgala makes no medical claims for its teas.

Mint Green Tea compared with other Hakgala teas

How to store mint green tea

Mint’s aroma is volatile and fades quickly when exposed to air. Store the blend in an airtight container, away from light, heat, moisture and other teas, and use opened packs within a few months.

Mint Green Tea for businesses

Raiden (Pvt) Ltd supplies Hakgala Mint Green Tea and private label versions, and Dsigngo Marketing designs the packaging, menu cards and labels, including Arabic and French labels for North African and Middle Eastern markets. The Ceylon Tea Import and Export guide explains how we work with overseas buyers.

An example in practice

The following example is illustrative and does not describe a real client.

A Moroccan restaurant in Dubai wants to offer traditional mint tea with every meal, prepared quickly by busy staff without losing the authentic taste.

Dsigngo Marketing suggests Hakgala Mint Green Tea as a ready blend, so staff only need to add sugar and a few fresh mint leaves. In a tasting, the restaurant’s chef approves the balance of green tea and mint. The restaurant orders catering packs, and Dsigngo designs a small card explaining the tradition of three glasses of mint tea.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between mint green tea and peppermint tea?

Mint green tea contains green tea and mint, so it contains caffeine. Peppermint tea is usually a herbal infusion of mint leaves only, with no tea and no caffeine.

Which mint is used in Moroccan mint tea?

Spearmint, which is sweeter and milder than peppermint.

Which green tea is used in Moroccan mint tea?

Traditionally Gunpowder green tea, whose rolled pellets give a strong flavour that stands up to mint and sugar.

Can I drink mint green tea iced?

Yes. It makes one of the most refreshing iced teas, especially with lime.

Does mint green tea contain caffeine?

Yes, from the green tea.

Can I add fresh mint to Hakgala Mint Green Tea?

Yes. Fresh spearmint adds extra aroma, especially for Moroccan-style tea.

Can I add milk to mint green tea?

It is usually drunk without milk, but a mint and honey latte made with strong mint green tea and steamed milk is a delicious café drink.

Is mint green tea good after meals?

Yes. In many cultures, mint tea is a traditional after-meal drink, because its fresh, cooling flavour leaves the mouth feeling clean.

How should I store it?

In an airtight container away from light, heat, moisture and other teas.

Conclusion

Mint green tea is cool, fresh and endlessly versatile: a symbol of hospitality in North Africa, a refreshing after-meal cup and a perfect iced tea. Spearmint brings sweetness, peppermint brings intensity, and green tea brings freshness and body.

Hakgala Mint Green Tea combines Ceylon green tea from Raiden’s own plantations with dried mint, produced under local and international certifications and presented by Dsigngo Marketing for homes, restaurants, hotels and importers.

Looking for a refreshing mint tea for your restaurant, hotel or shop? Contact Dsigngo Marketing for samples and product details.

Ask about Hakgala Mint Green Tea

Related reading

• English Breakfast Tea: History, Flavour and the Hakgala Ceylon Blend
• English Afternoon Tea Blend: A Lighter, Brighter Ceylon Cup for Afternoon Tea
• Irish Breakfast Tea: The Boldest Breakfast Blend, Made with Ceylon Tea
• Earl Grey Tea: Bergamot, History and the Hakgala Ceylon Earl Grey
• Lapsang Souchong Smoked Tea: History, Flavour and the Hakgala Smoked Ceylon Tea
• Spiced Masala Tea: Ceylon Tea with Sri Lankan Spices, and How to Make Perfect Chai
• Rose and French Vanilla Tea: A Floral, Sweet Ceylon Black Tea
• Black Tea with Berries: A Fruity Ceylon Blend Worth Trying
• Jasmine Green Tea: The Art of Scenting Tea with Flowers, and the Hakgala Ceylon Version
• Lemongrass Green Tea: A Citrus-Fresh Ceylon Tea with a Sri Lankan Herb
• Lychee White Tea: Delicate Ceylon White Tea with the Sweetness of Lychee
• Hand-Made White Tea: Ceylon Buds Carefully Shaped by Hand
• Ceylon Black Tea: Regions, Grades, Flavour and How to Brew
• Arabica Coffee: Flavour, Growing Conditions and Why It Leads the World
• Ceylon Tea Grade Nomenclature: The Complete Guide to Every Tea Grade
• Ceylon Tea Import and Export: How Raiden (Pvt) Ltd and Dsigngo Bring Pure Ceylon Tea to the World

Sources

• Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Mint" and "Peppermint": https://www.britannica.com/plant/mint-plant
• Tea Exporters Association Sri Lanka, Tea Grade Nomenclature (Gunpowder and green tea grades): https://teasrilanka.org/tea-grade
• Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Ceylon green tea: https://www.srilankabusiness.com/tea/green-tea.html
• Raiden (Pvt) Ltd company profile: https://www.raiden.lk